Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes
2007
Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Honnorat Jérôme, Antoine Jean-Christophe
Primary Institution: Inserm U 842; Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1; Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
Hypothesis
Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are immune-mediated disorders triggered by cancer.
Conclusion
PNS are rare but can severely affect the nervous system, often developing before the underlying cancer is diagnosed.
Supporting Evidence
- PNS can affect any part of the central and peripheral nervous system.
- Only the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome is relatively frequent, occurring in about 1% of patients with small cell lung cancer.
- Detection of onconeural antibodies is crucial for diagnosing PNS.
Takeaway
Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes are problems with the nervous system caused by cancer, and they can make people very sick even before the cancer is found.
Limitations
Many patients with PNS do not have detectable antibodies, making diagnosis challenging.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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