treatment

Last reviewed 01/2018

Any tumour associated with Lambert-Eaton syndrome should be treated and this may produce a partial remission of the myasthenic condition. Other approaches embrace:

  • drugs that facilitate neuromuscular transmission:
    • 3-4 diaminopyridine
    • guanidine
    • anticholinesterases are not helpful

  • immunosuppression:
    • prednisolone can be valuable in those with or without small-cell lung cancer
    • there is not the initial steroid-induced weakness that may be seen in myasthenia gravis
    • in cases not associated with small-cell lung cancer, the combination of azathioprine and prednisolone is often very effective

  • plasmapharesis:
    • may provide transient a improvement
    • should be reserved for those with severe weakness