[Neuropathies in small cell lung cancer]

A routine neurological examination, electromyography studies and conductance in sensory and motoric fibres of upper and lower extremity peripheral nerves, was carried out in 65 subjects with small cell lung cancer prior instituting chemotherapy. None of the patients demonstrated metabolic changes nor toxic injury to the neurological system. The results of the neurological examination led to suspicion of neuropathy in 22 (34%) which was later confirmed by the electromyographic studies. In 12 subjects only EMG abnormalities were found allowing to diagnose a subclinical phase of neuropathy. Altogether 52% of the subjects demonstrated injury of the peripheral nervous system. Sensory neuropathy was observed in 6 patients, motor-sensory in 7, motoric neuropathy in 12. In one of the subjects from the latter group a myasthenic syndrome of the Eaton-Lambert type was found. In 7 patients the EMG results suggested injury of the anterior horn cells, in two further patients the clinical and EMG data suggested injury of the peripheral and spinal column.