Symptoma

Paraneoplastic Syndrome

Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Paraneoplastic syndrome is a symptom complex resulting from a malignant neoplasm, but not resulting from the local presence of tumor cells.

Paraneoplastic syndrome is usually associated with neurological dysfunctioning, endocrine and cutaneous disorders.

The following are the signs and symptoms of the syndrome:

  • Anemia

    Three types of paraneoplastic anemias may be described, as follows: Chronic anemia resulting from an anti-erythropoietin factor, reduction in mean red blood cell (RBC) life, and poor iron availability Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia resulting from diffuse [emedicine.com]

    The PNS included elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hypertension, cachexia, anemia, pyrexia, abnormal liver function, hypercalcemia, polycythemia, varicocele and neuromyopathy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  • Fatigue

    The authors present a case report of a woman with presumed contact dermatitis who was diagnosed with breast cancer in the setting of progressive fatigue and muscle weakness. DM was subsequently diagnosed. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

    Hypercalcemia can cause a range of symptoms, such as confusion, nausea, constipation, fatigue, weakness, dehydration, muscle pain and — in extreme cases — kidney failure. [curetoday.com]

    SIADH is a euvolemic hypoosmolar hyponatremic state in which the patient can present with nonspecific symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, decreased oral intake, and fatigue. [cancertherapyadvisor.com]

    Signs and symptoms include pelvic and lower extremity muscle weakness, fatigue, difficulty swallowing, difficulty speaking, irregular eye movement, and double vision. Autonomic nervous system problems can include dry mouth and impotence. [mayoclinic.org]

  • Buffalo Hump

    Due to its rapid onset, patients generally are found to have electrolyte imbalances rather than having a cushingoid appearance, although typical cushingoid characteristics such as moon face and buffalo hump generally do not manifest, as hypercortisolism [intechopen.com]

    Characteristic findings on physical examination include abnormal fat deposition (moon facies, buffalo hump, centripetal obesity) and violaceous striae (20). [atm.amegroups.com]

  • Dyspnea

    Typical presentations include cough, dyspnea, and weight loss. However, SCLC can present in more atypical ways. [bmcpulmmed.biomedcentral.com]

    Review of systems was significant for hemoptysis, dyspnea on exertion and dull achy left anterior chest and shoulder pain. He denied any headaches, double vision or blurred vision. [healio.com]

    Infants and children with a small PDA are generally asymptomatic; infants with a large PDA present with signs of heart failure (eg, failure to thrive, poor feeding, tachypnea, dyspnea with feeding, tachycardia). [merckmanuals.com]

    Cutaneous necrosis, heliotrope erythema, dysphagia, dyspnea, muscle weakness, arthralgia, and positive anti-155/140 antibodies are considered as risk factors for cancer. [pulmonologyadvisor.com]

  • Diarrhea

    Refractory diarrhea is a paraneoplastic syndrome of NB and is rare. Patients aged 1-3 years who present with chronic intractable diarrhea should be followed closely. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

    Excessive production of other hormones, usually by pancreatic carcinoid tumors, can cause carcinoid syndrome—flushing, wheezing, diarrhea, and heart valve problems. [msdmanuals.com]

    If other organ systems are attacked, various other symptoms may be present, such as low blood sugar, hypertension or diarrhea. [moffitt.org]

  • Hypertension

    Hypertension and hypercalcemia occurring as single PNS, although also correlated with advanced stage, require further investigation. Copyright 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

    To the Editor: Hyperaldosteronism is the cause of about 0.5 to 2 percent of all cases of hypertension. [nejm.org]

    If other organ systems are attacked, various other symptoms may be present, such as low blood sugar, hypertension or diarrhea. [moffitt.org]

    Hypertension may result from abnormal epinephrine and norepinephrine secretion (pheochromocytomas) or from cortisol excess (ACTH-secreting tumors). [msdmanuals.com]

  • Muscle Twitch

    Myelitis is a term used to describe inflammation of the spinal cord and is characterized by weakness, muscle wasting, and involuntary muscle twitches. [brighamandwomens.org]

    PTHRP causes hypercalcemia and its associated symptoms (polyuria, dehydration, constipation, muscle weakness); calcitonin causes a fall in the serum calcium level, leading to muscle twitching and cardiac arrhythmias. [msdmanuals.com]

    Over the course of time, fine muscle twitching can progress to more pronounced abnormal movements and postures of the arms and legs (choreoathetosis). Many patients develop abnormal movements with the face, mouth or tongue (orofacial dyskinesias). [rarediseases.org]

  • Arthralgia

    Sweet’s Syndrome  Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis  Associated with leukemia  Acute tender red nodules or plaques  Fever, arthralgia, oral lesions, eye involvement  Almost all organs can be involved  Neutrophil mediated, with role for TNF, [slideshare.net]

    Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), joints (arthralgias), and lungs (interstitial lung disease) can occur. [rarediseases.org]

    Cutaneous necrosis, heliotrope erythema, dysphagia, dyspnea, muscle weakness, arthralgia, and positive anti-155/140 antibodies are considered as risk factors for cancer. [pulmonologyadvisor.com]

    Other manifestations include arthralgia, myocarditis and congestive heart failure, and interstitial lung disease. Clinical, electromyographical, and pathological findings of dermatomyositis are similar in patients with and without cancer. [theoncologist.onlinelibrary.wiley.com]

  • Neck Muscle Weakness

    We report a case of a 50-year-old female who presented with subacute quadriparesis, neck muscle weakness, elevated creatinine phosphokinase, a myogenic pattern on the EMG and was diagnosed as having polymyositis, a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  • Flushing

    Excessive production of other hormones, usually by pancreatic carcinoid tumors, can cause carcinoid syndrome—flushing, wheezing, diarrhea, and heart valve problems. [msdmanuals.com]

    During her hospital stay, she was given fluids to flush the calcium out of her blood. [curetoday.com]

     Symptoms:  Episodes of flushing: hypotension and tachycardia (histamine and bradykinin)  Cutaneous venous teleangiectasia  Secretory diarrhoea (serotonin)  Cardiac valvular lesions (serotonin)  bronchospams 16. [slideshare.net]

    Flushing may also occur and is likely related to tumor-generated circulating vasoactive substances (eg, prostaglandins). [merckmanuals.com]

  • Pruritus

    This 59-year-old man developed ophthalmoplegia, dysarthria, dysphagia, pruritus, ataxia, corticobulbar and corticospinal signs in association with prostate cancer. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

    An Austrian dermatologist, Ferdinand von Hebra, underlined the significance of internal disease in the etiology of several skin manifestations such as urticaria, generalized pruritus, xanthoma, and pemphigus. [intechopen.com]

    Cutaneous system: Skin involvement may present with acanthosis nigricans, dermatomyositis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, pseudoscleroderma, erythema multiform, Sweet syndrome, pruritus and urticaria, tylosis, erythema gyratum repens, Immunoglobulin A pemphigus [pulmonologyadvisor.com]

  • Keratosis

    Dermatology: Leser Trelat sign  Explosive onset of multiple sebarrhoic keratosis on erythematous skin  Gastro-intestinal adenocarcinoma  breast/ lung/urinary tract cancer  Often associated with acanthosis nigricans 25. [slideshare.net]

  • Peripheral Neuropathy

    Abstract POEMS (peripheral neuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, skin changes) syndrome is a rare multisystem paraneoplastic disorder. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

    Guillain-Barré syndrome, another ascending peripheral neuropathy, is a rare finding in the general population and probably more common in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. [msdmanuals.com]

    neuropathy Definition / general: Most common paraneoplastic syndrome May be associated with anti-Hu antibody in lung cancer patients Primary lateral sclerosis Definition / general: Rarely caused by breast cancer 50% develop lower motor neuron signs eventually [pathologyoutlines.com]

    The peripheral neuropathy associated with osteosclerotic myeloma generally resolves when the tumor is treated with radiotherapy. [encyclopedia.com]

  • Guillain-Barré Syndrome

    Guillain-Barré syndrome is another type of nerve dysfunction that causes a general loss of muscle strength. It is more common in people with Hodgkin lymphoma. [msdmanuals.com]

    Guillain-Barré syndrome, another ascending peripheral neuropathy, is a rare finding in the general population and probably more common in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. [merckmanuals.com]

    Although the frequency of cancer in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome is not increased, the association between this neuropathy and HL is well established. 92 Patients with NHL and monoclonal gammopathy can develop typical CIDP or predominantly sensory [bloodjournal.org]

    Antibodies to LM1 and LM1-containing ganglioside complexes in Guillain–Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. J. Neuroimmunol. 239, 87–90 (2011). 84. Kuwahara, M. et al. [doi.org]

  • Altered Mental Status

    Acute ( 48 hours), severe (serum sodium 120 meq/L) hyponatremia leads to cerebral edema causing altered mental status, seizures and death. Chronic, mild to moderate, hyponatremia may not produce any significant neurologic symptoms. [atm.amegroups.com]

    In contrast, severe, rapidly progressive hypercalcemia can be associated with significant volume depletion and acute renal insufficiency, as well as dramatic neurocognitive symptoms ranging from altered mental status to coma. [doi.org]

    Symptoms and clinical manifestations present along a spectrum based on severity and rate of hyponatremia onset and include fatigue, anorexia, nausea, headache, generalized weakness, altered mental status, lethargy, confusion, seizures, coma, and even [pulmonologyadvisor.com]

    Elisa Thelys Bushman, Sarah Anne Mellion and Marta Ania King, Nine-Year-Old Girl With Altered Mental Status, Clinical Pediatrics, 50, 12, (1161), (2011). [dx.doi.org]

  • Foot Drop

    After tumor resection, synovitis resolved and foot-drop disappeared almost totally. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Diagnosis of paraneoplastic syndrome is a difficult affair and is often misdiagnosed. The diagnosis begins with preliminary clinical examination to study the reflexes, mental functioning, muscle tone and its strength, balance, coordination and sensory functioning.

Blood work would be done to analyze the antibodies associated with paraneoplastic syndrome [8]. A lumbar puncture examination to test the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for antibodies is carried out.

Several imaging tests such as CT scan, MRI, PET and PET-CT are employed for further diagnosis of the syndrome. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a method wherein radioactive elements are injected into the body to generate 3D images. This helps in studying the degree of metabolism of tumor cells and also provides information related to brain abnormalities.

  • Abnormal Mammogram

    Breast cancer most often presents as a palpable mass or with an abnormal mammogram. Much less commonly, breast cancer may present as a paraneoplastic syndrome. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  • Thrombocytosis

    Paraneoplastic thrombocytosis Thrombocytosis frequency is 13–32% in LC patients. IL-6 is the cytokine that is known to play a role in the development of paraneoplastic thrombocytosis [41]. It requires no specific treatment. 2.7. [intechopen.com]

    Lymphoma may be a cause of secondary thrombocytosis. Renal Paraneoplastic Syndrome About 10% patinets with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome have an underlying maligancy. Most of these patinets have membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. [allaboutblood.com]

    […] onset, but in some cases, DIC appears in an acute and severe form, characterized by typical thrombotic and/or hemorrhagic manifestations, and sometimes leading to thrombocytopenia Thrombocytopenia may also be caused by autoantibodies; the causes of thrombocytosis [emedicine.com]

  • Erythrocytosis

    In contrast, survival of patients with paraneoplastic erythrocytosis was not significantly reduced. [hindawi.com]

    Erythrocytosis is common in cancers of the liver, kidney, adrenal glands, lung, thymus, and CNS as well as in gynecologic tumors and myosarcomas. It always disappears after removal of the primary tumor. [emedicine.com]

  • Fasting Hypoglycemia

    hypoglycemia is one of its possible clinical manifestations. [mattioli1885journals.com]

    Seen in febrosarcoma, haemangiofibropericytoma, hepatoma)  Diagnosis: fasting hypoglycemia  Plasma insulin/pro-insulin/peptide C during hypoglycemia  Treatment:  Anticancer treatment  Glucose/glucagon  Nocturnal meals 12. [slideshare.net]

The primary goal of treatment consists of managing the tumor cells and suppressing the immune system to stop the abnormal behavior. These objectives are carried out through various methods such as:

  • Surgical procedures along with chemotherapy and radiation therapy to remove the tumor cells and suppress its growth. Surgery is largely dependent on the nature and the location of the malignant cells.
  • Medications like corticosteroids and immunosupressants are employed for treating the condition. Corticosteroids work by reducing the inflammation and immunosupressants suppress the action of the immune system. Based on the type of paraneoplastic syndrome present, other medications are also given to decrease the seizures and enhance the nerve to muscle transmission.
  • Plasmaphersis is conducted to rid the body of the antibodies by replacing the blood plasma.
  • Individuals are also given intravenous immunoglobulin in which healthy antibodies from donors are transferred to the body [9].

In addition to the above mentioned treatment methods, individuals are also subjected to physical and speech therapies to improvise the walking ability and restore muscle control.

Prognosis of paraneoplastic syndrome is usually poor. There are no available treatments and this syndrome has no known cure. The stage at which the condition is diagnosed generally decides the outcome of the disease. Treatment methods employed to treat the cancer can have some positive effect on the condition. The majority of patients suffering from paraneoplastic syndrome succumbs to secondary infections which is the common cause of mortality [5].

Complications

Complications of paraneoplastic syndrome include the following:

Paraneoplastic syndrome does not occur as a direct effect of the cancer cells [3]. It occurs due to activation of the immune system that behaves in an abnormal fashion in response to cancer cells and in turn attacks the body’s healthy cells giving rise to associated disease conditions.

A secondary phenomenon that explains the development of paraneoplastic syndrome is that the cancer cells releases cellular components which are physiologically active in nature. These components serve as tumor markers paving way for development of paraneoplastic syndrome.

Paraneoplastic syndrome is a rare occurrence that commonly affects the adult and the elderly population. Children seldom fall prey to such syndromes. It has been estimated that about 20% of the population with cancer develop paraneoplastic syndrome. However, the exact incidence of this syndrome is not known.

The pathophysiology of paraneoplastic syndrome is a complex one. There are basically two theories defining the onset of such a kind of syndrome. The preliminary one states that the immune system of individuals with cancer behaves in an abnormal fashion and begins attacking the normal cells along with the tumor cells [4]. Such an activity deteriorates the neurological functioning of the brain giving rise to paraneoplastic syndrome.

In yet another theory, researchers explain that the physiologically active components released by the tumor cells can attack the other body organs giving rise to several associated secondary conditions such as sensory neuropathy, neuromyotonia, myasthenia gravis, cerebellar degeneration, stiff–person syndrome and encephalomyelitis to name a few. These syndromes are collectively referred to as paraneoplastic syndrome.

So far there are no approaches designed to prevent the development of paraneoplastic syndrome. However, if the condition is diagnosed on time then the onset of complications can be prevented to certain extent. Primary screening tests may be used among patients with strong familial history of breast and colon cancer [10].

Paraneoplastic syndrome is characterized by abnormal response of the immune system to the presence of malignant tumors. Patients suffering from cancer of the lungs, breast, lymphatic system or the ovaries are known to contract paraneoplastic syndrome.

Such a kind of a syndrome is also termed as paraneoplastic syndrome of the central nervous system because many affected individuals suffer from neurologic disorders [1]. In some instances, paraneoplastic symdrome involves the peripheral nervous system [2].

The signs and symptoms of the syndrome begin to show effect within days or weeks much before the tumor is diagnosed. Middle aged and the geriatric population fall easy prey to paraneoplastic syndrome.

Definition

Paraneoplastic syndrome is a rare group of disorders that develop in patients suffering from cancer. It however does not occur due to the direct effect of cancer but occurs as a result of abnormal behavior of immune system that attacks the body’s healthy cells. It can also occur due to the release of cellular components of the tumor cells that have an adverse effect on other organs of the body.

Cause

Paraneoplastic syndrome occurs in patients suffering from lung, stomach or breast cancer. The exact cause that triggers the development of such a syndrome is not known. However, researchers believe that the faulty behavior of the immune system can cause paraneoplastic syndrome.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of paraneoplastic syndrome include loss of muscle tone, difficulty in walking, speaking and swallowing, loss of fine motor skills, dementia, seizures, sleep problems, vertigo and dizziness. Individuals also suffer from memory loss, vision problems and loss of sensation in the limbs.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of the syndrome is done by analyzing the clinical signs and symptoms. In addition, blood test and lumbar puncture test is done for detecting the presence of antibodies. Various imaging tests are carried out for detecting the tumor locations and determining the extent of spread of cancer.

Treatment

Primary mode of treatment consists of removal of the tumors from the body. This is followed by medications to suppress the immune response and also to improve the symptoms. Plasma transfer may also be required in some patients. 

  1. Bataller L, Dalmau JO. Paraneoplastic disorders of the central nervous system: update on diagnostic criteria and treatment. Semin Neurol. Dec 2004; 24(4):461-71.
  2. Auche M. Des nevrites peripheriques chez les cancereux. Rev Med. 1890; 10:785-807.
  3. Hobbs CB, Miller AL. Review of endocrine syndromes associated with tumours of non-endocrine origin. J Clin Pathol. Mar 1966; 19(2):119-27. 
  4. Pittock SJ, Kryzer TJ, Lennon VA. Paraneoplastic antibodies coexist and predict cancer, not neurological syndrome. Ann Neurol. Nov 2004; 56(5):715-9.
  5. Leger S, Picard D, Ingen-Housz-Oro S, Arnault JP, Aubin F, et al. Prognostic factors of paraneoplastic pemphigus. Arch Dermatol. Oct 2012; 148(10):1165-72.
  6. Hagler KT, Lynch JW Jr. Paraneoplastic manifestations of lymphoma. Clin Lymphoma. Jun 2004; 5(1):29-36.
  7. Rubenstein M, Duvic M. Cutaneous manifestations of Hodgkin's disease. Int J Dermatol. Mar 2006; 45(3):251-6.
  8. Brain R, Norris FH Ed. The remote effects of cancer on the nervous system. New York: Grune & Stratton; 1965.
  9. Buchwald B, Ahangari R, Weishaupt A, et al. Presynaptic effects of immunoglobulin G from patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome: their neutralization by intravenous immunoglobulins. Muscle Nerve. Apr 2005; 31(4):487-94. 
  10. Kawasoe T, Yamamoto Y, Okumura Y, et al. A case report of paraneoplastic neurological syndrome associated with occult breast cancer. Breast Cancer.