Paraneoplastic Syndromes of the Nervous System as Complications of Cancer

Abstract

In patients with cancer the development of neurological symptoms usually represents metastatic involvement of the nervous system or complications secondary to coagulopathy, infection, metabolic and nutritional deficits, and toxic effects of cancer therapy. A neurologic disorder is defined as paraneoplastic when none of the above causes are detected or when specific cancer-related immunological mechanisms are involved. Paraneoplastic neurologic disorders are important for several reasons. They may affect any part of the central and peripheral nervous system and mimic other neurologic complications of cancer. The paraneoplastic disorder usually develops before the presence of a cancer is known and its prompt recognition may help to uncover the neoplasm. The neurologic symptoms are often severe and can result in the patient’s death. Early intervention with oncologic and immunotherapy may result in stabilization or improvement of neurologic symptoms although the potential for improvement depends on the type of syndrome and associated immune responses.