Experts Bridge Oncology and Neurology to Catch LEMS Earlier in SCLC: With Misty D. Shields, MD, PhD; Triparna Sen, MD, PhD, MS; and Ditte Primdahl, MD

In today’s episode, we highlighted an OncLive Peer Exchange discussion about cancer-associated Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) moderated by Misty D. Shields, MD, PhD. Dr Shields is an assistant professor of clinical medicine in the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine, as well as an adjunct assistant professor of medical & molecular genetics and an associate member of Experimental and Developmental Therapeutics at the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center in Indianapolis. She was joined by Triparna Sen, MD, PhD, MS, a professor at The Ohio State University in Columbus, and Ditte Primdahl, MD, an assistant professor of neurology (neuro-oncology) and neurological surgery at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois.

In this exclusive conversation, the experts discussed the ties between cancer-associated LEMS and small cell lung cancer. They noted that LEMS is characterized by proximal muscle weakness, hyperreflexia, and autonomic dysfunction, and that diagnostic challenges include late referral to neurology and misattribution of symptoms to cancer-related fatigue. They also highlighted key symptoms, which include proximal leg weakness, dry mouth, and blurred vision. Furthermore, they dove into treatment options for symptom control and emphasized that a multidisciplinary approach to care, including oncology, neurology, and laboratory medicine, is crucial for early LEMS diagnosis and effective management.