Neuromuscular disorders in cancer patients Part I. Peripheral nerve lesions in cancer patients

Abstract

There are no extensive prospective studies on the topic of peripheral nerve lesions in cancer patients. It is estimated that 15–20% of cancer patients have some neurologic complications. In the peripheral nervous system they occur in about 10% of patients, and up to 30–40% in electrophysiologic examinations. Paraneoplastic syndromes make less than 1% of neurologic complications. The most common condition of the peripheral nervous system is sensory neuropathy caused by chemotherapy. Neuropathy is also dominant among the paraneoplastic syndromes, as well as Lambert-Eaton syndrome (neuromuscular junction condition which affects mainly patients with small cell lung carcinoma).