Lambert-Eaton syndrome happens when the immune system attacks the junction between nerves and muscles. It’s more common when triggered by small-cell lung cancer but can also happen in people without cancer. Many Mighty community members with LEMS have had to travel a long road before receiving their diagnosis. Getting diagnosed can be difficult because of overlapping symptoms with other conditions.
Electromyography (EMG)
How is Lambert-Eaton syndrome diagnosed? The first step is a complete physical exam and a review of your symptoms. Your physician will also run blood tests that check for antibodies attacking the neuromuscular junctions. They may perform an electromyography test by sending small electrical currents through your muscles. These can detect signs of weakening that indicate the presence of LEMS antibodies. In addition, your doctor will conduct a lung X-ray or CT scan and an MRI of the chest to look for a possible cancerous tumor. This is important because, in half of all cases of LES, it appears along with small-cell lung cancer. LES can be an early sign of cancer in these patients, resulting from the body’s response to the cancerous cells.
Another test that can help distinguish MG from LEMS is the needle EMG, which can reveal differences in the amplitude of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) at rest and low rates of repetitive nerve stimulation. These changes indicate the presence of antibodies to voltage-gated calcium channels on presynaptic nerve terminals, leading to a decrease in the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Blood Tests
The blood tests allow your doctor to see whether your immune system has made antibodies that can damage the neuromuscular junctions. These are the areas where your nerves and muscles connect. This can cause the weakness that people with LEMS experience. Antibodies can reduce the function of voltage-gated calcium channel complexes (VGCC), which allow calcium transfer across the junction. VGCC antibodies can block muscle transmission by binding to these channels and preventing them from opening. They can also interfere with acetylcholine release and lead to a lack of deep tendon reflexes. Most patients with malignancy-associated LEMS have antibodies directed against the P/Q subtype of VGCC. MG and LEMS are both acquired paraneoplastic disorders, which can be associated with cancer. However, the symptoms of MG and LEMS are different. Your doctor can distinguish the two disorders by testing your blood for VGCC and SOX1 antibodies. These are not routinely performed, but they can provide helpful diagnostic information. The test can help your doctor rule out the possibility of a non-tumor-related cause, a tumor recurrence, or a second tumor.
CT Scan
Lambert-Eaton syndrome (LEMS) happens when your immune system goes awry and attacks the contact point between nerves and muscles, called the neuromuscular junction. This damages the nerves and stops them from sending enough “messages” to muscle fibers, which causes weakness. The condition is often associated with small-cell lung cancer, but it can also happen in people without cancer. Patients with LEMS who do not have a malignancy should receive lung X-rays and a CT or MRI scan of their chest. These tests can help doctors look for signs of cancer-causing the condition. They may also recommend cancer screenings every few months for at least two years. LEMS symptoms usually improve with treatment, which includes medicines that increase nerve-cell-muscle fiber communication. These medications can improve your strength and make walking, moving your arms and legs easier, breathing, and speaking. Other treatments may include sleeping well and avoiding hot showers, baths, and other heat sources. It would be best to check your home for radon, which can raise the risk of developing lung cancer.
MRI Scan
When symptoms first begin, patients may experience difficulty getting up from a chair or walking up stairs. In LEMS, this happens because the nerves’ signals are interrupted. This occurs when antibodies bind to and block calcium channels on the ends of nerve cells at the neuromuscular junction. Without these channels, the nerves cannot send messages to muscle cells to contract, causing weakness. Usually, these symptoms develop slowly over weeks to months. However, if cancer is present in the patient, it can lead to a much faster progression of the condition.
In some cases, cancer may not be found in a person with LEMS, but it’s essential to make sure there isn’t cancer present to avoid further complications. These complications include thymoma, lymphoproliferative disorders, and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Symptoms of LEMS are often worse when the body is warm or has a fever. In addition, they can get worse in people who smoke. The best way to prevent the onset of these symptoms is by quitting smoking, having your home tested for radon, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep.
PET Scan
In the case of LEMS triggered by small-cell lung cancer, antibodies from the cancer attack the nerve cells, where they connect to muscle fibers (neuromuscular junction). This prevents them from sending messages that tell muscles to contract. The result is that muscle weakness develops. Symptoms of LEMS typically begin in your legs and move up your body. They can affect your arms and feet, muscles that control your breathing and swallowing, and even your eye muscles. The symptoms can worsen over time and may also affect your heart, lungs, or blood vessels. If your healthcare provider thinks you have this condition, they’ll check for cancer and other conditions that can cause it. Your healthcare provider will also give you medicines to help improve the signal between your nerve and muscle cells. Taking steps to manage your symptoms can make a big difference in how much they impact your daily life. Exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet to keep your body strong. Reduce stress, and try relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing. Keep your home radon-free, and take lukewarm showers or baths to avoid heat.