[Marked improvement of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome resulting from treatment for small cell lung carcinoma].
A 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of muscle weakness. A complete medical examination led to a diagnosis of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) and the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Four courses of chemotherapy (carboplatin + etoposide) and one of radiotherapy with a total dose of 45 Gy to the mediastinum were performed and resulted in a partial response in the SCLC. After the second course of chemotherapy, the serum level of antivoltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGCC) antibody decreased from 190 pg/ml to 120 pg/ml. Marked improvement of the muscle weakness was recognized only after 3 courses of chemotherapy. The patient, who had had difficulty in standing, recovered enough to be able to climb stairs after 4 courses of chemotherapy. Marked improvement of LEMS was achieved by treatment for small cell lung carcinoma.
Honoki
Hisae
H
First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
Kawagishi
Yukio
Y
Oda
Hirofumi
H
Miwa
Toshiro
T
Inomata
Minehiko
M
Fujita
Tadashi
T
Matsui
Shoko
S
Kashii
Tatsuhiko
T
Maruyama
Muneharu
M
Kobayashi
Masashi
M
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007177:Inappropriate ADH Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D015624:Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male
D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin