Paraneoplastic phenomenon

A paraneoplastic phenomenon is a diseaseor symptomthat is the consequence of the presence of cancerin the body, but is not due to the local presence of cancer cells. A large number of these phenomena are mediated by the immune system.

Examples

Examples of paraneoplastic phenomena:

• Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome(LEMS) in small-cell lung cancer
• Hypercalcemiain breast cancerand lung cancerdue to the production of PTHrP(Parathyroid hormone-related protein)
• Paraneoplastic cerebellar degenerationassociated with lung, ovarian, breast, and other cancers
• Granulocytosis(increased granulocytes) due to the production of G-CSF
• Dermatomyositis(25-50% of adult patients have an underlying malignancy) and polymyositis

Neurological

A particularly devastating form of paraneoplastic syndromes is a group of disorders classified as paraneoplastic neurological disorders (PNDs). These paraneoplastic disorders affect the brain and central nervous system and they are degenerative. Symptoms of paraneoplastic neurological disorders include ataxia(difficulty with walking and balance), dizziness, nystagmus(rapid uncontrolled eye movements), speech problems, mental changes, and motor deterioration.

The most common cancers associated with paraneoplastic neurological disorders are breast, ovarianand lung cancer, but many other cancers have been linked to PNDs as well.

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.

Organisations

The International Paraneoplastic Association (IPA) is an organization dedicated to providing support and information to those affected by paraneoplastic neurological disorders.

External link

• IPA website

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraneoplastic+phenomenon Wikipedia article Paraneoplastic phenomenon.