Autoantibody Profiles of Myasthenia Gravis, Thymoma, and Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome

May 2012

Beyond Hot Topic is an opportunity for viewers to submit questions to the Hot Topic presenter. The opportunity to submit questions for this topic is now closed.

The following questions were submitted by viewers and answered by the presenter, Andrew McKeon, MB BCh, consultant in the Neuroimmunology Laboratory in the Division of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. 

Questions are presented as submitted (unedited).

1. What is the clinical significance for the patient of distinguishing between a diagnosis of MG and Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome?

   MG may be associated with thymoma (usually easily treatable with resection alone), and the neurological symptoms are generally very treatment responsive. Lambert-Eaton syndrome generally has a worse prognosis, is more difficult to treat, and is associated with small cell lung cancer in about 50% of cases.

2. Can I see Dr. Andrew McKeon?

   Please contact the Mayo Clinic neurology appointment office
   Also see Dr. McKeon's biographical information