Peripheral nerve function in patients with bronchial carcinoma. Comparison with matched controls and effects of...

Clinical examination of 80 patients with bronchial carcinoma showed minor neurological abnormalities but in only a few cases were these considered to be due to neuromyopathy. Spontaneous activity in the EMG was shown in 35%, consistent with a mild degree of partial denervation; when 50 of the patients were matched with 50 controls the patients showed a small but significant impairment of nerve conduction velocity in comparison with the controls. These findings accord with subclinical neuropathy in a high proportion of patients with bronchial carcinoma consistent with primary axonal change. Thirty patients participated in a prospective study of the effects of treatment. Of these nine were reassessed following surgery or radiotherapy. Although there was a trend towards improvement in sensory conduction there was no consistent change in the electromyographic findings.