Autoimmune Disease or Hidden Cancer? Unmasking LEMS, An Early Sign of Lung Cancer

HOST: Hildy Grossman PRODUCER: Jordan Rich
GUESTS: Wade Iams, MD and Misty Shields, MD, PhD.

What if sudden leg weakness or severe fatigue wasn’t just stress or aging—but your body’s
immune system sounding an early alarm for a hidden lung cancer? Joining us to solve this
medical mystery are two outstanding thoracic oncologists, Dr. Wade Iams, director of lung
cancer research at Tennessee Oncology in Nashville, and Dr. Misty Shields, Assistant Professor
at Indiana University School of Medicine. Today, we’re uncovering an autoimmune disorder,
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, or LEMS—a rare condition where over 90% of cases
are missed or misdiagnosed. Our guests explain how LEMS is a condition where your immune
system attacks your nerves causing muscle weakness. They describe the details of what
patients experience with LEMS, especially difficulty to get up and go. About half of all LEMS
cases are linked to an underlying cancer, most notably Small Cell Lung Cancer. LEMS may occur
prior to small cell lung cancer diagnosis, so requires ongoing monitoring. It can also occur after
diagnosis and create confusion with side effects of chemotherapy. There is now a simple blood
test to diagnose LEMS. Finding LEMS early can help save a patient’s life. Listen and find out
how.