Paraneoplastic dysmotility: loss of interstitial cells of Cajal

Am J Gastroenterol. 2002 Jul;97(7):1828-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2002.05851.x.

Abstract

Autoimmune impairment and destruction of the enteric nervous plexus are thought to play a central role in the pathogenesis of paraneoplastic motility disorders. We present a case of a small-cell lung carcinoma-related paraneoplastic motility disorder associated with abnormal interstitial cells of Cajal networks. Antibodies against c-Kit and protein gene product 9.5 were used to selectively stain interstitial cells of Cajal and the enteric nervous plexus, respectively. A 68-yr-old man presented with anorexia, early satiety, nausea, and weight loss. Investigations revealed gastroparesis, delayed small intestinal transit, and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The patient was seropositive for type 1 antineuronal nuclear autoantibody and P/Q-type calcium channel antibody. Biopsy of mediastinal lymph nodes revealed metastatic small-cell carcinoma cells that were immunoreactive for c-Kit. Immunohistochemical staining of a full-thickness small intestinal biopsy revealed a relatively intact myenteric plexus but a sparse and disorganized interstitial cells of Cajal network. The histopathology of this case suggests that interstitial cells of Cajal may be a target in the pathogenesis of paraneoplastic motility disorders.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / complications
  • Digestive System / chemistry
  • Digestive System / innervation
  • Digestive System / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / etiology
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / pathology*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Gastrointestinal Motility*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Male
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / etiology
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / pathology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / analysis

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit