Autoimmune Disease or Hidden Cancer? Unmasking LEMS, An Early Sign of Lung Cancer
HOST: Hildy Grossman PRODUCER: Jordan Rich
GUESTS: Wade Iams, MD and Misty Shields, MD, PhD.
What if sudden leg weakness or severe fatigue wasn’t just stress or aging—but your body’s
immune system sounding an early alarm for a hidden lung cancer? Joining us to solve this
medical mystery are two outstanding thoracic oncologists, Dr. Wade Iams, director of lung
cancer research at Tennessee Oncology in Nashville, and Dr. Misty Shields, Assistant Professor
at Indiana University School of Medicine. Today, we’re uncovering an autoimmune disorder,
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, or LEMS—a rare condition where over 90% of cases
are missed or misdiagnosed. Our guests explain how LEMS is a condition where your immune
system attacks your nerves causing muscle weakness. They describe the details of what
patients experience with LEMS, especially difficulty to get up and go. About half of all LEMS
cases are linked to an underlying cancer, most notably Small Cell Lung Cancer. LEMS may occur
prior to small cell lung cancer diagnosis, so requires ongoing monitoring. It can also occur after
diagnosis and create confusion with side effects of chemotherapy. There is now a simple blood
test to diagnose LEMS. Finding LEMS early can help save a patient’s life. Listen and find out
how.
25 Sept 2026
Unlocking Early Detection of Cancer Through Biomarkers – What Does the Future Hold?
HOST: Hildy Grossman CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUESTS: Melina Marmarelis, MD
What if the secret to defeating lung cancer is already hidden inside our own cells?
In this episode of Backstage @ Upstage, we explore the cutting edge of cancer care and how tiny biological clues are completely revolutionizing how we detect, understand, and treat lung cancer.
We are joined by Dr. Melina Marmarelis, a leading thoracic oncologist and researcher at Penn Medicine (University of Pennsylvania). Dr. Marmarelis breaks down the vital role of biomarker testing and introduces us to the future of precision medicine: Next-Generation Sequencing. Discover how oncology is moving away from traditional, “one-size-fits-all” therapies toward hyper-customized treatment plans tailored to every individual patient—and how Artificial Intelligence is stepping in to analyze massive amounts of complex medical data to make it all possible.
Tune in to discover the future of biomarker testing and how science, technology, and precision medicine are changing the outlook of lung cancer care to come!
18 Aug 2026
Inflammation! When Defense Becomes Disease
HOST: Hildy Grossman CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUESTS: Sahil Patel, MD, Pulmonologist
Inflammation is a brilliant lifesaver when you twist an ankle—and a silent danger when your body forgets how to turn it off. In this eye-opening episode of Backstage @ Upstage, host Hildy Grossman sits down with pulmonologist Dr. Sahil Patel to demystify the hidden biological forces shaping our health.
Together, they translate complex cellular science and modern environmental hazards—from microplastics and smog to the surge of chronic conditions in younger populations—into clear, practical takeaways. Dr. Patel reveals how short-term healing can mutate into tissue damage, interstitial lung disease, and cancer, while introducing the idea of an immune “thermostat” that balances over-active autoimmune responses against under-active cancer defenses. From cutting-edge diagnostic breakthroughs to next-generation therapies designed to cool down internal inflammation before disease takes hold, this essential conversation offers a masterclass in protecting your body from the inside out.
Tune in to discover how disease takes root—and how science is learning to stop it!
Who has been a guest on Backstage @ Upstage
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jaclyn LoPiccolo
Pasi Janne
Jill Feldman
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
11,129
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
63
Social presence
0
YouTube
72
Engagement
60
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