Paraneoplastic syndrome medical therapy

Paraneoplastic syndrome Microchapters
Patient Information
Overview
Classification Endocrine Musculocutaneous Neurological Hematological Others
Causes
Differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

A paraneoplastic syndrome is a disease or symptom that is the consequence of the presence of cancer in the body, but is not due to the local presence of cancer cells. These phenomena are mediated by humoral factors (by hormones or cytokines) excreted by tumor cells or by an immune response against the tumor. Sometimes the symptoms of paraneoplastic syndromes show even before the diagnosis of a malignancy.

Medical Therapy

Treatment options include:

1. Therapies to eliminate the underlying cancer such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, and
2. Therapies to reduce or slow neurological degeneration. Rapid diagnosis and treatment is critical for the patient to have the best chance of recovery. Since these disorders are relatively rare, few doctors have seen or treated PNDs. Therefore, it is important that PND patients consult with a specialist with experience in diagnosing and treating paraneoplastic neurological disorders.