Paraneoplastic syndromes

[Zipporah Schumaker]

Paraneoplastic (associated with cancer—see also Overview of Cancer) syndromes occur when a cancer causes unusual symptoms due to substances that circulate in the bloodstream. These substances may be hormones produced by the tumor or antibodies produced by the immune system. They can affect the function of various tissues and organs and cause symptoms at sites distant from the tumor. Paraneoplastic syndromes may affect many different organ systems, including the nervous system and the endocrine (hormone) system, causing such problems as nervous system changes, low blood sugar, diarrhea, or high blood pressure.

About 20% of people with cancer develop a paraneoplastic syndrome. The most common cancers associated with paraneoplastic syndromes include

• Lung cancer (most common)
• Kidney cancer
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Leukemias
• Lymphomas
• Breast tumors
• Ovarian cancer
• Brain cancers
• Stomach cancers
• Pancreatic cancers