Paraneoplastische syndromen

Paraneoplastic syndromes are complexes of symptoms that can arise as a result of an immune response to an underlying malignancy. Various types of paraneoplastic syndromes exist: endocrine, metabolic, dermatological, rheumatological, hematological, and neurological. These syndromes occur more frequently than we might think, but their incidence varies greatly depending on the syndrome and the type of cancer. They can be difficult to recognize due to the wide variety of symptom complexes, and are frequently the first manifestation of a malignancy. Paraneoplastic syndromes can arise from humoral factors or autoimmunity, with immune-mediated paraneoplastic syndromes often not responding adequately to treatment of the underlying malignancy. Early recognition of a paraneoplastic syndrome is crucial both for diagnosing a malignancy at an earlier stage and for preserving the patient's quality of life.