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Paraneoplastic syndrome: Difference between revisions
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(Created page with "'''Paraneoplastic''' '''syndrome''' refers to any sign or symptom which occurs due to hormone or cytokine production by tumour cells, or by the immune response to the malignancy. Generally, it's defined as any syndrome due to non-metastatic effects of the malignancy. Paraneoplastic syndromes are rare, occuring in somewhere from 2-20% of malignancies. They often develop before the cancer diagnosis. It’s important to recognise these diseases because they can give earlie...") |
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'''Paraneoplastic''' '''syndrome''' refers to any sign or symptom which occurs due to hormone or cytokine production by tumour cells, or by the immune response to the malignancy. Generally, it's defined as any syndrome due to non-metastatic effects of the malignancy. Paraneoplastic syndromes are rare, occuring in somewhere from 2-20% of malignancies. They often develop before the cancer diagnosis. | <section begin="surgery" />'''Paraneoplastic''' '''syndrome''' refers to any sign or symptom which occurs due to hormone or cytokine production by tumour cells, or by the immune response to the malignancy. Generally, it's defined as any syndrome due to non-metastatic effects of the malignancy. Paraneoplastic syndromes are rare, occuring in somewhere from 2-20% of malignancies. They often develop before the cancer diagnosis. | ||
It’s important to recognise these diseases because they can give earlier diagnosis of the tumour and because their prognosis is better the earlier the treatment is initiated. | It’s important to recognise these diseases because they can give earlier diagnosis of the tumour and because their prognosis is better the earlier the treatment is initiated.<section end="surgery" /> | ||
== Pathomechanism == | == Pathomechanism == | ||
There may be many underlying mechanisms. Tumour cells may produce hormones or cytokines which cause systemic or distant effects. Another mechanism is [[molecular mimicry]], where the immune system T cells or antibodies directed against the tumour cells may mistakenly attack healthy cells. | There may be many underlying mechanisms. Tumour cells may produce hormones or cytokines which cause systemic or distant effects. Another mechanism is [[molecular mimicry]], where the immune system T cells or antibodies directed against the tumour cells may mistakenly attack healthy cells. | ||
<section begin="surgery" /> | |||
== "B symptoms" - fever, night sweats, and weight loss == | == "B symptoms" - fever, night sweats, and weight loss == | ||
Three constitutional symptoms for malignancy are especially well known. These are the so-called "B symptoms": | Three constitutional symptoms for malignancy are especially well known. These are the so-called "B symptoms": | ||
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These symptoms are called B symptoms because in the Ann-Arbor staging for [[Hodgkin lymphoma]], the presence of these symptoms confer a worse prognosis and the tumour stage is denoted "B" if present (and "A" if absent). Despite originally being used in lymphomas, B symptoms may be present in any malignancy. The presence of B symptoms is a sign of systemic inflammation and a poor prognostic sign.<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19450285</ref> | These symptoms are called B symptoms because in the Ann-Arbor staging for [[Hodgkin lymphoma]], the presence of these symptoms confer a worse prognosis and the tumour stage is denoted "B" if present (and "A" if absent). Despite originally being used in lymphomas, B symptoms may be present in any malignancy. The presence of B symptoms is a sign of systemic inflammation and a poor prognostic sign.<ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19450285</ref> | ||
[[Cachexia]], a severe catabolic state which leads to extreme weight loss and muscle wastage, may occur due to malignancy. It occurs due to production of [[TNF alpha]] and other cytokines by the tumour. Loss of appetite may also occur and contribue to the weight loss. | [[Cachexia]], a severe catabolic state which leads to extreme weight loss and muscle wastage, may occur due to malignancy. It occurs due to production of [[TNF alpha]] and other cytokines by the tumour. Loss of appetite may also occur and contribue to the weight loss.<section end="surgery" /> | ||
== Endocrinology == | == Endocrinology == | ||