Autoimmune gastrointestinal dysmotility due to small cell lung cancer

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Aug 11:2017:bcr2017220890. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-220890.

Abstract

The diagnosis of autoimmune gastrointestinal dysmotility requires a high level of clinical suspicion when standard work-up is unrevealing. We report the case of a 56-year-old male patient with history of tobacco use and a subacute presentation of weight loss, vomiting and cerebellar ataxia. The discovery of paraneoplastic type 1 antineuronal nuclear antibodies and neuronal acetylcholine receptor antibodies led to further directed imaging and diagnostic studies in spite of prior negative chest imaging. Bronchoscopy with endobronchial ultrasound was used to confirm a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer and paraneoplastic syndrome as the cause of the presenting upper gastrointestinal symptoms.

Keywords: Lung Cancer (oncology); Neurogastroenterology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmune Diseases / etiology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Bronchoscopy / methods*
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / complications
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / physiopathology*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / etiology
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Induction Chemotherapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / physiopathology*
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / complications
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / drug therapy
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / physiopathology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vomiting
  • Weight Loss