Paraneoplastic syndromes - what can be learned from the history, patient, or laboratory findings?

摘要

Paraneoplastic syndrome (PS) or disease is a group of sign(s) or clinicopathologic abnormalities that occur secondary to the effects of a tumor at a site remote from the primary tumor itself. Many body systems or parameters may be affected. Because of this, the signs which may be seen as "red flags" for the existence of a paraneoplastic response, can be quite diverse and, at times, very subtle. These lectures will be divided into two parts. Part 1 will discuss the historical and physical examinationabnormalities that should raise suspicions for the existence of a paraneoplastic process and Part 2 will focus on clinicopathologic changes that should be "red flags" for the existence of a PS. The differendal diagnosis that should be considered for each historical, physical examination, or clinicopathologic abnormality will be addressed, along with the diagnostic plan that should be considered to solve the problem.