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      A Rare Case of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenia Syndrome Associated with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

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          Abstract

          Introduction

          Lambert-Eaton myasthenia syndrome (LEMS) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by autoantibodies targeting presynaptic neuromuscular junctions. It results in muscle weakness and autonomic dysfunction. LEMS can be idiopathic or associated with neoplastic diseases, often small-cell lung cancer. This case report describes a rare instance of paraneoplastic LEMS in a man with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

          Case Presentation

          A 57-year-old male with non-Hodgkin lymphoma presented with progressive muscle weakness, diminished reflexes, and autonomic symptoms. Diagnosis revealed LEMS with autoantibodies against voltage-gated calcium channels. Immunosuppressive therapy and lymphoma treatment led to significant improvement in his condition.

          Conclusion

          This case highlights the rare occurrence of paraneoplastic LEMS in a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Recognition and timely management of LEMS alongside lymphoma treatment can lead to significant clinical improvement, emphasizing the need for increased awareness of such complex associations.

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          Most cited references21

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          Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes in Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

          Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNSs) rarely associate with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-HLs (NHLs). Except for paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) in HL and dermato/ polymyositis in both HL and NHL, other PNSs are uncommon and have only been reported as isolated case reports or short series. There are several important differences in PNSs when occurring in association with HL and NHL compared with those associated with solid tumors. First, some PNSs such as sensory neuronopathy or Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome rarely occur in lymphomas, whereas others, such as granulomatous angiitis, are only described in HL. Second, onconeural antibodies are absent in most PNSs associated with lymphomas with the exceptions of Tr (δ/notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor) in PCD and mGluR5 in limbic encephalitis (LE). The antigens recognized by these antibodies are not expressed in lymphoma cells, suggesting the tumor itself does not trigger the PNS. Third, unlike patients with solid tumors in patients with lymphoma, the PNSs often develops at advanced stages of the disease. Furthermore, the type and frequency of PNSs are different between HL and NHL; whereas LE and PCD occur almost exclusively in patients with HL, sensorimotor neuropathies and dermatomyositis are more frequent in NHL. © 2014 by The American Society of Hematology.
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            The Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. A review of 50 cases.

            The clinical and electrophysiological features of 50 consecutive patients with the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) have been analysed. Carcinoma was detected (CD group) in 25, of whom 21 had small cell lung cancer (SCLC). SCLC was evident within 2 yrs of onset of LEMS symptoms in 20/21 cases, and at 3.8 yrs in 1/21. In the cases in whom no carcinoma was detected (NCD group), 14/25 had a history of LEMS greater than 5 yrs. The dominant neurological features were similar in the CD and NCD groups, and consisted of proximal lower limb weakness (100%), depressed tendon reflexes (92%) with posttetanic potentiation (78%), autonomic features, especially dryness of the mouth (74%) and mild/moderate ptosis (54%). The compound evoked muscle action potential amplitude in abductor digiti minimi was below the lower limit of control values in 48/50, and the increment following maximum voluntary contraction above the upper limit of control values in 48/50. Single fibre electromyographic abnormalities were found in 29/29 cases. The analysis indicates that a patient presenting with LEMS has a 62% risk of an underlying SCLC, and that this risk declines sharply after 2 yrs, becoming very low at 4 to 5 yrs. It is argued that in SCLC cases antigenic determinants on tumour cells initiate the autoimmune response, often early in the course of the malignancy, but that the association of LEMS with tumours other than SCLC may be fortuitous. In the latter, and in NCD patients, the initiating factor(s) are unknown.
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              Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS): a rare autoimmune presynaptic disorder often associated with cancer.

              Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a rare autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorder that is related to the loss of functional P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) on presynaptic nerve terminals. Up to 60% of cases occur as a paraneoplastic disorder (SCLC-LEMS), most commonly in association with small cell lung cancer. The remaining cases have an idiopathic non-tumor etiology but are associated with underlying autoimmune disease (NT-LEMS). Patients with LEMS invariably experience progressive proximal muscle weakness, often accompanied by general fatigue and autonomic symptoms. Some LEMS clinical symptoms overlap with those of other myasthenic syndromes, most commonly myasthenia gravis, which can contribute to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Prognosis is related to the presence of cancer or autoimmune disease and the severity/distribution of muscle weakness. Cause of death in patients with SCLC-LEMS is typically tumor progression, whereas NT-LEMS does not reduce life expectancy. LEMS diagnosis is supported by a threefold approach: clinical features, electromyography, and anti-VGCC antibody serology. LEMS is a clinically important early indicator of possible cancer; therefore, a LEMS diagnosis should immediately prompt rigorous oncological screening and surveillance. Symptomatic treatment of LEMS typically involves medications that improve neurotransmission (e.g., the potassium channel blocker amifampridine [3,4-diaminopyridine]), with addition of immunosuppressants/modulators (e.g., prednisone plus azathioprine) in individuals with persistent symptoms. Where a tumor is identified, oncological treatment should take priority. It should be remembered, however, that LEMS has a significant impact on a patient's quality of life and ability to perform daily activities, and therefore warrants timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment in and of itself.
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                Author and article information

                Journal
                Case Rep Oncol
                Case Rep Oncol
                CRO
                CRO
                Case Reports in Oncology
                S. Karger AG (Basel, Switzerland )
                1662-6575
                6 November 2023
                Jan-Dec 2023
                6 November 2023
                : 16
                : 1
                : 1300-1305
                Affiliations
                [a ]Department of Medicine, TowerHealth, West Reading, PA, USA
                [b ]Department of Internal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
                [c ]Department of Family Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
                [d ]Department of Medical Oncology/Hematology, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Doha, Qatar
                [e ]Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
                [f ]Weill Cornell Medicine University - Qatar, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
                Author notes
                Correspondence to: Awni Alshurafa, dr.a.shurafa@ 123456gmail.com
                Article
                534557
                10.1159/000534557
                10629858
                37942405
                7f5444c4-cdb5-4813-afa0-ccd86bd27908
                © 2023 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel

                This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC) ( http://www.karger.com/Services/OpenAccessLicense). Usage and distribution for commercial purposes requires written permission.

                History
                : 11 August 2023
                : 9 October 2023
                : 2023
                Page count
                Figures: 1, References: 21, Pages: 6
                Funding
                This work will be supported by the Qatar National Library if accepted.
                Categories
                Case Report

                Oncology & Radiotherapy
                non-hodgkin lymphoma,lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome,peripheral t-cell lymphoma,autoimmune disorders

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