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Lambert-Eaton syndrome

Lambert-Eaton syndrome

9.9
A rare disease often linked to cancer where the immune system stops nerves sending signals to muscles, causing weakness
  • noun
  • /ˈlæmbərt ˈiːtən ˈsɪndroʊm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : síndrome de Lambert-Eaton
  • The neurologist explained that Lambert-Eaton syndrome is sometimes linked to certain types of lung cancer.

Examples

  • Patients with Lambert-Eaton syndrome often present with fatigue and muscle weakness.

  • The diagnosis of Lambert-Eaton syndrome was confirmed after muscle strength testing.

  • The doctor diagnosed her with Lambert-Eaton syndrome.

  • Many patients with Lambert-Eaton syndrome experience severe fatigue.

  • Patients with Lambert-Eaton syndrome often present with fatigue and muscle weakness.

  • The neurologist explained that Lambert-Eaton syndrome is sometimes linked to certain types of lung cancer.

  • Many patients with Lambert-Eaton syndrome experience severe fatigue.

Synonyms

Eaton-Lambert syndrome
vsLambert-Eaton syndrome
  • Specialized
9.9

A rare illness where the immune system attacks nerves that control the muscles, causing weakness often linked to lung cancer

is the preferred term in this description and matches that clinical concept
myasthenic syndrome
vsLambert-Eaton syndrome
  • Specialized
9.9

A rare condition causing muscle weakness and tiredness, often linked to lung cancer

is broader, noting association with cancers in general rather than lung only
carcinomatous myopathy
vsLambert-Eaton syndrome
  • Specialized
9.9

A rare muscle disease in cancer patients causing hip and thigh weakness and aching back from immune attack on nerves

frames the problem as immune interference with nerve signals rather than direct attack

Surface Forms

Morphology

Lambert-Eaton + syndrome

The first element is an eponym (Lambert-Eaton) that carries no descriptive semantic content a learner can compose, while 'syndrome' clearly signals a medical condition. A B1 learner who knows the constituents could infer it is some kind of disease but would not be able to derive the specific meaning (a disorder causing muscle weakness and fatigue), so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Lambert-Eaton syndrome is named after the two doctors, Dr. Lambert and Dr. Eaton, who first reported the illness. Their names stuck to a rare condition where nerve signals do not make muscles work well, so the name helps you remember it means 'muscle weakness and tiredness' often linked to cancer.