What is paraneoplastic enteric neuropathy?
Enteric neuropathy of the GI tract, with or without other symptoms of autonomic dysfunction, may be seen in association with small-cell lung cancer, pulmonary carcinoid, undifferentiated epithelioma, and breast cancer.
Based on the segment of the GI tract involved, the neuropathy can clinically present as achalasia, gastroparesis, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, or megacolon.
Patients may subsequently develop other dysautonomic symptoms.
The motility disorder may resolve with the treatment of the underlying tumor.
Some patients have elevated titers of antineuronal nuclear antibody (ANNA-1 or anti-Hu), which reacts with antigens shared by the tumor cells and the myenteric plexus neurons.
