Paraneoplastic syndromes are a group of rare disorders that are triggered by an abnormal immune system response to a cancerous tumor known as a “neoplasm”. Paraneoplastic syndromes are thought to happen when cancer-fighting antibodies or white blood cells (known as T cells) mistakenly attack normal cells in the nervous system.
These disorders typically affect middle-aged to older people and are most common in individuals with lung, ovarian, lymphatic, or breast cancer.
Paraneoplastic syndromes include:
- Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
- Stiff-person syndrome
- Encephalomyelitis
- Myasthenia gravis
- Cerebellar degeneration
- Limbic or brainstem encephalitis
- Neuromyotonia
- Opsoclonus
- Sensory neuropathy
Neurologic symptoms generally develop over a period of days to weeks and usually occur prior to the tumor being discovered. These symptoms may include:
- Difficulty in walking or swallowing
- Loss of muscle tone
- Loss of fine motor coordination
- Slurred speech
- Memory loss
- Vision problems
- Sleep disturbances
- Dementia
- Seizures
- Sensory loss in the limbs
- Vertigo or dizziness
When present, the tumor and cancer are treated first, followed by efforts to decrease the autoimmune response — either through steroids such as cortisone or prednisone, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin, or irradiation. Plasmapheresis, a process that cleanses antibodies from the blood, may ease symptoms in people with paraneoplastic disorders that affect the peripheral nervous system. Speech and physical therapy may help individuals regain some functions.
There are no cures for paraneoplastic syndromes. There are no available treatments to stop progressive neurological damage. Generally, the stage of cancer at diagnosis determines the outcome.