Small cell lung cancer is a recalcitrant malignancy with 5-year survival rates of less than 20%. In the majority of cases, patients have metastatic disease at diagnosis despite the new screening method by low-dose CT-scan. The high throughput sequencing has deepened our understanding of its biology. While the treatment of localized disease has changed little, the arrival of immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the management of extensive disease. At the same time, new strategies involving certain potential genetic targets are being analyzed on a large scale that could become valuable therapeutic alternatives in the future. Radiation therapy remains a very useful therapeutic modality in all stages of the disease. This article aims to review the epidemiology, molecular pathology, management and innovative therapies in small-cell lung cancer.