Long-term survival in paraneoplastic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome associated with small cell lung cancer.
Paraneoplastic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is associated with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in adults. Without appropriate treatment for SCLC, all reported patients with SCLC and OMS have died of complications of OMS within 3 months of diagnosis. With appropriate treatment, about half of reported patients have had improvement in neurologic function, and several have become long-term survivors (6-84 months). We report a patient with SCLC who presented with OMS and was refractory to immunosuppressive therapy but responded rapidly to antineoplastic therapy and remains alive with no sign of SCLC recurrence and minimal residual neurologic deficits 30 months after diagnosis. In patients presenting with OMS, early recognition and treatment of the underlying malignancy probably improve the chances for recovery from the OMS with minimal deficit and ultimate survival.
Hassan
Khaled A
KA
Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Kalemkerian
Gregory P
GP
Trobe
Jonathan D
JD
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D053578:Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D020361:Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011878:Radiotherapy; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017741:Survivors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013256:Steroids