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Paraneoplastic syndrome: Difference between revisions

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<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.
<section begin="dermatology" /><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.<section end="surgery" />
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" />
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== 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" />
<section end="dermatology" /><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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Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration refers to subacute degeneration of the cerebellum. It has a poor response to therapy.  
Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration refers to subacute degeneration of the cerebellum. It has a poor response to therapy.  
 
<section begin="dermatology" />
== Dermatology ==
== Dermatology ==
Many dermatological paraneoplastic syndromes exist, but they are rare.
Many dermatological paraneoplastic syndromes exist, but they are rare.
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** Generalised [[herpes zoster]] (due to immune system depression)
** Generalised [[herpes zoster]] (due to immune system depression)
** Generalized acquired [[ichthyosis]]
** Generalized acquired [[ichthyosis]]
 
<section end="dermatology" />
== Haematology ==
== Haematology ==
Anaemia is a common feature of malignancy. This may be due to bleeding in ulcerated tumours or due to hormones and cytokines which act on the bone marrow.
Anaemia is a common feature of malignancy. This may be due to bleeding in ulcerated tumours or due to hormones and cytokines which act on the bone marrow.
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== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />
[[Category:Pathology]]
[[Category:Oncology]]