BACKGROUND: To enhance the acknowledgement of Lambert-Eaton syndrome in patients 
with small cell lung cancer.
METHODS: Retrospective case analysis of Lambert-Eaton syndrome in patients with 
small cell lung cancer in our hospital.
RESULTS: The characteristics of electromyography for Lambert-Eaton syndrome was 
reduction in action potential amplitude after repetitive peripheral nerve 
stimulation at low frequency and increased amplitude at high frequency.There 
were 10 cases of Lambert-Eaton syndrome in 332 pathologically diagnosed small 
cell lung cancer,9 male and 1 female with an average age of 57.6±4.9.Nine of 10 
cases were among 50 to 69.All patients except one experienced myasthenia,mainly 
in lower extremities,2 to 36 months (median:6 months) before the diagnosis of 
small cell lung cancer.Treatment of small cell lung cancer may improve the 
symptoms of Lambert-Eaton syndrome.
CONCLUSIONS: Improving the recognition of Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be helpful 
to identify early small cell lung cancer and improve the prognosis,as the 
symptom of muscular weakness usually appears early before the diagnosis of small 
cell lung cancer.