Lambert – Eaton syndrome associated with small cell lung cancer: a case report and diagnostic insights
https://doi.org/10.33667/2078-5631-2026-2-19-25
Abstract
The article presents a review of the current literature on paraneoplastic Lambert-Eaton syndrome (LES). A case report is provided, illustrating typical diagnostic challenges: initial misclassification as myasthenia gravis, lack of response to acetylcholinesterase therapy, the need to identify the «warm-up» phenomenon and rely on high-frequency repetitive nerve stimulation in the comprehensive electrophysiologic assessment of LES. It emphasizes that sustained oncologic screening is warranted when LEMS is suspected, even if initial imaging is negative, because neurological symptoms can precede tumor detection by months.
About the Authors
D. M. Merkulova
B. M. Guekht Neurology Center, Central Clinical Hospital “RZhD-Medicine”; I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University); MEDSI Center of Excellence for Neuromuscular Diseases
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Merkulova Dina M., Dr Med Sci (habil.), head, B. M. Guekht Neurology Center, Central Clinical Hospital “RZhD-Medicine”, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University); professor at Dept of Nervous Diseases, MEDSI Center of Excellence for Neuromuscular Diseases
Moscow
D. S. Lezina
B. M. Guekht Neurology Center, Central Clinical Hospital “RZhD-Medicine”
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Lezina Diana S., neurologist, functional diagnostics physician
Moscow
A. N. Fedorova
MEDSI Center of Excellence for Neuromuscular Diseases
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Fedorova Alsu N., neurologist
Moscow
E. L. Plieva
B. M. Guekht Neurology Center, Central Clinical Hospital “RZhD-Medicine”
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Plieva Elizaveta L., neurologist
Moscow
E. A. Polyanskaya
B. M. Guekht Neurology Center, Central Clinical Hospital “RZhD-Medicine”
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Polyanskaya Ekaterina A., neurologist
Moscow
Yu. A. Merkulov
Research Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Merkulov Yuri A., Dr Med Sci (habil.), chief researcher at Pain Laboratory
Moscow
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Review
For citations:
Merkulova D.M., Lezina D.S., Fedorova A.N., Plieva E.L., Polyanskaya E.A., Merkulov Yu.A. Lambert – Eaton syndrome associated with small cell lung cancer: a case report and diagnostic insights. Medical alphabet. 2026;(2):19-25. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.33667/2078-5631-2026-2-19-25
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