Autonomic neuropathy and carcinoma of the lung

A patient who died from oat-cell carcinoma of the lung had had abdominal pain and obstipation. Autopsy revealed autonomic neuropathy limited to the gastrointestinal tract, which was considered to be related to carcinoma as a remote effect. This interpretation was further supported by the presence of Wallerian degeneration of the dorsal columns. Autonomic neuropathy involving the gastrointestinal tract in association with malignant disease has not been previously described.