Guide To The Types Of Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Paraneoplastic syndromes are rare disorders that can develop in cancer patients. Though the syndromes typically affect the nervous system, they can also affect organ systems including the dermatologic, hematologic, rheumatologic, and endocrine systems. Therefore, they affect an individual's hormones, joints, blood, and skin. Paraneoplastic syndromes happen when the immune system's cancer-fighting agents mistakenly attack portions of the muscle, peripheral nerves, spinal cord, or brain. The symptoms are wide-ranging because they depend upon which part of the nervous system was attacked. While the injury can sometimes be reversed, it's also possible for the disease to cause rapid and irreversible nervous system damage.

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Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a paraneoplastic syndrome in which the immune system attacks the connection between the muscles and nerves. This attack interrupts the ability of the nerves to send signals to the muscles. The specific attack is on the calcium channels found on nerve endings. When the calcium channels are broken down, the nerve endings release less acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter acts as a messenger to trigger contraction in the muscles. Since the acetylcholine levels are lowered in LEMS patients, they can't contract their muscles normally. This leads to muscle weakness. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome starts by causing weakness in the hips and upper legs, which makes walking difficult. It also causes weakness in the shoulders and upper arms, so day-to-day tasks become difficult. There may also be mild symptoms related to the eye muscles and muscles used when swallowing. The majority of patients with LEMS have mild nervous system dysfunction, most commonly presenting as dry mouth. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome is particularly associated with small cell lung cancer. The main theory about the disease is the immune system attacks the nerve endings because they share some protein types with the cancer cells.

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