Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Synd... Health Article

Treatment

When a cancer is identified, the first concern should be the appropriate treatment of that malignancy. Secondarily, treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome may include medications to improve transmission of nerve impulses across the synaptic junction (such as pyridostigmine bromide) as well as immunosuppressant agents (such as corticosteroids, azathioprine, cyclosporine, or intra-venous immungoglobulin) to decrease the immune system's ability to further damage the presynaptic nerves. A treatment called plasmapheresis may help remove damaging immune cells from the blood.

Prognosis

The prognosis of individuals with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome varies widely. In fact, the most important element of prognosis involves the prognosis associated with any existing cancer.

Special concerns

Patients who develop Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome should be thoroughly screened for the presence of a previously undetected cancer. If none is found, the patient should undergo regularly scheduled surveillance to monitor for the subsequent development of a malignancy.

BOOKS

Al-Losi, Muhammad, and Alan Pestronk. "Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndromes." Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, edited by Eugene Braunwald, et al. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2001.

Gruenthal, Michael. "Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome." Ferri's Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment, edited by Fred F. Ferri. St. Louis: Mosby, 2004.

Posner, Jerome B. "Nonmetastatic Effects of Cancer: The Nervous System." Cecil Textbook of Internal Medicine, edited by Lee Goldman, et al. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 2000.

PERIODICALS

Bataller, L. "Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes. " In Neurologic Clinics 21(1)(February 1, 2003): 221–247

WEBSITES

Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Bethesda, MD: NINDS, 2003.

Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD