Systemic Manifestations of Cancer and Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Abstract

For the majority of patients with cancer, clinical features are directly attributable to the local effects of the primary tumor or metastases. In about 5{\%} to 10{\%} of cases, however, distant effects occur that are not due to the direct effects of tumor. These systemic effects or paraneoplastic syndromes are mediated by a variety of mechanisms: either ``ectopic'' or ``inappropriate'' hormone secretion, or the production of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, interleukin, or growth factors. Immune effects mediated by the production of antibodies or T-cells that cross-react with normal host tissue are particularly seen with the neurologic syndromes.