Transcript Document
DEFINITION
Paraneoplastic neurological disorders
(PNDs) refer to an extensive group of
syndromes that can affect any part of
the nervous system by mechanisms that
are primarily immune mediated.
INCIDENCE
- Rare, < 1% patients with cancer
- 3% in SCLC
- 30% in thymoma and 50% in sclerotic
myeloma
- LEMS occurs in approximately 3% of
patients with SCLC and 1/1000 in
gynaecological tumours
- Some specific cancers may have
associations with certain disorders more
frequently
In neuromyopathy
- 4% of women with breast cancer
- 16% of men with lung cancer
- 66% of patients with all cancers
Age & Sex:
- In UK M:F 1:3.2
- In USA 3:1
- Median age 66y (30-77)
- 11% below 50y
- lymphoproliferative diseases and
testicular tumours in younger
- In 60% of patients, symptoms of PND
develop before the presence of a tumor is
known.
- In 40% of patients, symptoms of PND
develop after the tumor diagnosis or at tumor
recurrence.
- In 40% of patients, ther is no detected
antibodies
- In 15% of cancer patients showed antibodies
without having neurologic syndromes.
PATHOGENESIS
Different etiologies postulated:
Toxins,
viruses,
nutritional
deficiency, autoimmune
- Autoimmune theory strongest:
“molecular mimicry”
Antibodies
react with shared
protein antigens:
- Not the cause of damage
-CytotoxicT-cells involved
Non metastatic complications of cancers
Pathological findings:
-Perivascular space filled with
T helper (CD4+)& B cells
-Interstitial infilterate with cytotoxic
T cells (CD8+)
CLSSIFICATION
Area Involved
Central nervous
system
Dorsal root ganglia
or peripheral nerves
Classical Syndromes
Nonclassical Syndromes
Encephalomyelitis
Brain stem encephalitis
Limbic encephalitis
Stiff person syndrome
Cerebellar degeneration
Necrotizing myelopathy
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
Motor neuron disease
Subacute sensory neuronopathy
Gastrointestinal paresis or pseudoobstruction
Acute sensorimotor neuropathy
(Guillain-Barre´ syndrome,
plexitis)
Subacute and chronic
sensorimotor neuropathies
Neuropathy of plasma cell
dyscrasias and lymphoma
Vasculitis of the nerve and muscle
Acquired neuromyotonia
Pure autonomic neuropathy
Muscle
Dermatomyositis
Acute necrotizing myopathy
Polymyositis
NMJ
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
Myasthenia gravis
Eye and retina
Cancer-associated retinopathy
Optic neuritis
Melanoma-associated retinopathy
Area Involved
Central nervous
system
Dorsal root ganglia
or peripheral nerves
Classical Syndromes
Nonclassical Syndromes
Encephalomyelitis
Brain stem encephalitis
Limbic encephalitis
Stiff person syndrome
Cerebellar degeneration
Necrotizing myelopathy
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
Motor neuron disease
Subacute sensory neuronopathy
Gastrointestinal paresis or pseudoobstruction
Acute sensorimotor neuropathy
(Guillain-Barre´ syndrome,
plexitis)
Subacute and chronic
sensorimotor neuropathies
Neuropathy of plasma cell
dyscrasias and lymphoma
Vasculitis of the nerve and muscle
Acquired neuromyotonia
Pure autonomic neuropathy
Muscle
Dermatomyositis
Acute necrotizing myopathy
Polymyositis
NMJ
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
Myasthenia gravis
Eye and retina
Cancer-associated retinopathy
Optic neuritis
Melanoma-associated retinopathy
Area Involved
Central nervous
system
Dorsal root ganglia
or peripheral nerves
Classical Syndromes
Nonclassical Syndromes
Encephalomyelitis
Brain stem encephalitis
Limbic encephalitis
Stiff person syndrome
Cerebellar degeneration
Necrotizing myelopathy
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
Motor neuron disease
Subacute sensory neuronopathy
Gastrointestinal paresis or pseudoobstruction
Acute sensorimotor neuropathy
(Guillain-Barre´ syndrome,
plexitis)
Subacute and chronic
sensorimotor neuropathies
Neuropathy of plasma cell
dyscrasias and lymphoma
Vasculitis of the nerve and muscle
Acquired neuromyotonia
Pure autonomic neuropathy
Muscle
Dermatomyositis
Acute necrotizing myopathy
Polymyositis
NMJ
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
Myasthenia gravis
Eye and retina
Cancer-associated retinopathy
Optic neuritis
Melanoma-associated retinopathy
Area Involved
Central nervous
system
Dorsal root ganglia
or peripheral nerves
Classical Syndromes
Nonclassical Syndromes
Encephalomyelitis
Brain stem encephalitis
Limbic encephalitis
Stiff person syndrome
Cerebellar degeneration
Necrotizing myelopathy
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
Motor neuron disease
Subacute sensory neuronopathy
Gastrointestinal paresis or pseudoobstruction
Acute sensorimotor neuropathy
(Guillain-Barre´ syndrome,
plexitis)
Subacute and chronic
sensorimotor neuropathies
Neuropathy of plasma cell
dyscrasias and lymphoma
Vasculitis of the nerve and muscle
Acquired neuromyotonia
Pure autonomic neuropathy
Muscle
Dermatomyositis
Acute necrotizing myopathy
Polymyositis
NMJ
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
Myasthenia gravis
Eye and retina
Cancer-associated retinopathy
Optic neuritis
Melanoma-associated retinopathy
Area Involved
Central nervous
system
Dorsal root ganglia
or peripheral nerves
Classical Syndromes
Nonclassical Syndromes
Encephalomyelitis
Brain stem encephalitis
Limbic encephalitis
Stiff person syndrome
Cerebellar degeneration
Necrotizing myelopathy
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
Motor neuron disease
Subacute sensory neuronopathy
Gastrointestinal paresis or pseudoobstruction
Acute sensorimotor neuropathy
(Guillain-Barre´ syndrome,
plexitis)
Subacute and chronic
sensorimotor neuropathies
Neuropathy of plasma cell
dyscrasias and lymphoma
Vasculitis of the nerve and muscle
Acquired neuromyotonia
Pure autonomic neuropathy
Muscle
Dermatomyositis
Acute necrotizing myopathy
Polymyositis
NMJ
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
Myasthenia gravis
Eye and retina
Cancer-associated retinopathy
Optic neuritis
Melanoma-associated retinopathy
Area Involved
Central nervous
system
Dorsal root ganglia
or peripheral nerves
Classical Syndromes
Nonclassical Syndromes
Encephalomyelitis
Brain stem encephalitis
Limbic encephalitis
Stiff person syndrome
Cerebellar degeneration
Necrotizing myelopathy
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
Motor neuron disease
Subacute sensory neuronopathy
Gastrointestinal paresis or pseudoobstruction
Acute sensorimotor neuropathy
(Guillain-Barre´ syndrome,
plexitis)
Subacute and chronic
sensorimotor neuropathies
Neuropathy of plasma cell
dyscrasias and lymphoma
Vasculitis of the nerve and muscle
Acquired neuromyotonia
Pure autonomic neuropathy
Muscle
Dermatomyositis
Acute necrotizing myopathy
Polymyositis
NMJ
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
Myasthenia gravis
Eye and retina
Cancer-associated retinopathy
Optic neuritis
Melanoma-associated retinopathy
Area Involved
Central nervous
system
Dorsal root ganglia
or peripheral nerves
Classical Syndromes
Nonclassical Syndromes
Encephalomyelitis
Brain stem encephalitis
Limbic encephalitis
Stiff person syndrome
Cerebellar degeneration
Necrotizing myelopathy
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
Motor neuron disease
Subacute sensory neuronopathy
Gastrointestinal paresis or pseudoobstruction
Acute sensorimotor neuropathy
(Guillain-Barre´ syndrome,
plexitis)
Subacute and chronic
sensorimotor neuropathies
Neuropathy of plasma cell
dyscrasias and lymphoma
Vasculitis of the nerve and muscle
Acquired neuromyotonia
Pure autonomic neuropathy
Muscle
Dermatomyositis
Acute necrotizing myopathy
Polymyositis
NMJ
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
Myasthenia gravis
Eye and retina
Cancer-associated retinopathy
Optic neuritis
Melanoma-associated retinopathy
Area Involved
Central nervous
system
Dorsal root ganglia
or peripheral nerves
Classical Syndromes
Nonclassical Syndromes
Encephalomyelitis
Brain stem encephalitis
Limbic encephalitis
Stiff person syndrome
Cerebellar degeneration
Necrotizing myelopathy
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
Motor neuron disease
Subacute sensory neuronopathy
Gastrointestinal paresis or pseudoobstruction
Acute sensorimotor neuropathy
(Guillain-Barre´ syndrome,
plexitis)
Subacute and chronic
sensorimotor neuropathies
Neuropathy of plasma cell
dyscrasias and lymphoma
Vasculitis of the nerve and muscle
Acquired neuromyotonia
Pure autonomic neuropathy
Muscle
Dermatomyositis
Acute necrotizing myopathy
Polymyositis
NMJ
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
Myasthenia gravis
Eye and retina
Cancer-associated retinopathy
Optic neuritis
Melanoma-associated retinopathy
DIAGNOSIS
Recognition of the
paraneoplastic
antibodies
Recognition of the
associated cancer
Recognition of the
Neurological
Syndrome
Recognition of the Neurological Syndrome
Area Involved
Central nervous
system
Dorsal root ganglia
or peripheral nerves
Classical Syndromes
Nonclassical Syndromes
Encephalomyelitis
Brain stem encephalitis
Limbic encephalitis
Stiff person syndrome
Cerebellar degeneration
Necrotizing myelopathy
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
Motor neuron disease
Subacute sensory neuronopathy
Gastrointestinal paresis or pseudoobstruction
Acute sensorimotor neuropathy
(Guillain-Barre´ syndrome,
plexitis)
Subacute and chronic
sensorimotor neuropathies
Neuropathy of plasma cell
dyscrasias and lymphoma
Vasculitis of the nerve and muscle
Acquired neuromyotonia
Pure autonomic neuropathy
Muscle
Dermatomyositis
Acute necrotizing myopathy
Polymyositis
NMJ
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
Myasthenia gravis
Eye and retina
Cancer-associated retinopathy
Optic neuritis
Melanoma-associated retinopathy
Recognition of the associated cancer
• Carcinomas
– Lung
– GU
• Prostate
• Renal Cell
• Testicular
• Small Cell
• Non-small Cell
– Gynecologic
•
•
•
•
Ovarian
Fallopian tube
Endometrial
Breast
– GI
•
•
•
•
Colon
Gastric
Esophageal
Pancreas
• Lymphomas
– Hodgkin’s Disease
– Non-Hodgkin’s Disease
• Miscellaneous
–
–
–
–
Sarcoma
Carcinoid
Melanoma
Thymoma/Malignant
Thymoma
Recognition of the associated cancer
Blood tests for PSA, CEA and CA 125,15.3;
these are sometimes helpful in progressivePEM
• Chest MRI/CT where lung cancer is
suspected.
• Abdominal and pelvic MRI/CT in PCD.
• Mammography in cases of PCD or OMA
• Skeletal survey must be considered if
myeloma is a possibility with a motor
neuropathy,CIDP or the LEMS
Recognition of the associated cancer
Bone marrow may also be required if myeloma is
suspected.
• Bronchoscopy if there is a mass on chest imaging
or the patient is ANNA-1 (anti-Hu) positive but the
chest CT/MRI is negative
• Laparoscopy if imaging of the pelvis is positive, or
mammography and pelvic imaging are negative but
PCA-1 (anti-Yo) antibody is positive.
• FDG Positron Emission Tomography (PET) can
sometimes identify a primary site when all the
above investigations are negative.
Recognition of the paraneoplastic antibodies
Well-Characterized Paraneoplastic Antibodies
Antibody
Associated Syndrome
Most Frequent Cancers
Hu (ANNA1)
Paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis, paraneoplastic
sensory neuronopathy, PCD, limbic encephalitis
SCLC
Yo (PCA1)
PCD
Ovary, breast
CV2/CRMP5
Several
SCLC, thymoma
Ri (ANNA2)
Ataxia, opsoclonus-myoclonus, brain stem
encephalitis
Breast, gynecological, SCLC
Ma2*
Limbic, diencephalic, brain stem encephalitis
Testicular, lung
Amphiphysin
Stiff person syndrome, paraneoplastic
encephalomyelitis
Breast, SCLC
Partially Characterized Paraneoplastic Antibodies
Tr
PCD
Hodgkin’s disease
Zic4
PCD
SCLC
PCA2
Several
SCLC
ANNA3
Several
SCLC
PCD = paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration; SCLC = small cell lung cancer.
*Some patients harbor Ma1 and Ma2 antibodies; the presence of Ma1 usually associates with
predominant brain stem, cerebellar involvement, and tumors other than testicular neoplasms. The
prognosis in patients with tumors other than testicular neoplasms is poorer than that of patients with
Ma2 antibodies and testicular neoplasms.
Recognition of the paraneoplastic antibodies
(1) Antibodies are present in approximately 60% of patients with
PND of the CNS; therefore, the absence of antibodies does not
rule out that a syndrome could be paraneoplastic.
(2) Paraneoplastic antibodies may be identified (usually at low
titer) in the serum of a variable proportion of patients with
cancer but without PND (ie, anti-Hu and anti-CV2/CRMP5 in
20% and 10% of patients with SCLC, respectively)
(3) In PND of the CNS the antibodies are found in serum and
CSF; detection of CSF antibodies is a strong indicator that the
associated neurological syndrome is paraneoplastic.
(4) Most PNDs of the peripheral nerve or muscle do not
associate with paraneoplastic antibodies, except for anti-Hu
and anti-CV2/ CRMP5 antibodies.
(5) Not all paraneoplastic antibodies have the same sensitivity
and specificity.
Recognition of the paraneoplastic antibodies
Antibodies That Occur with and without Cancer Association
Anti-VGCC
LEMS,PCD
SCLC
Anti- AChR
MG
Thymoma
Anti- VGKC
PNH (neuromyotonia)
Thymoma, others
nAChR
Subacute
pandysautonomia
SCLC, others
Recognition of the paraneoplastic antibodies
Cell
Location
Antibody
Disorder
Associated Tumour
Anti-Hu/ANNA-1
Sensory neuronopathy,
encephalomyelitis
SCLC
Anti-Ri/ANNA-2
Opsoclonus/myoclonus,
eye movement d/o
Neuroblastoma,
Breast, Gynecologic
Anti-CV2/CRMP5?
Sensory neuronopathy,
encephalomyelitis, limbic
encephalitis, cerebellar
degeneration,
SCLC
Anti-Yo/PCA-1
Cerebellar degeneration
Breast, Gynecologic
Amphiphysin
Stiff-person syndrome,
encephalomyelitis,
opsoclonus-myoclonus
Breast, SCLC
N- & P/Q-type
VGCC
LEMS
SCLC
Acetylcholine
Receptor
Myasthenia Gravis
Thymoma
Neuronal
Cytoplasmic
Plasma
Membrane
Recognition of the paraneoplastic antibodies
Syndrome
Cancer’s
Frequency
(1)
LEMS
Cerebellar degeneration
Opsomyoclonus in
children
Opsomyoclonus in adult
Tumors
The more frequent
antibody associated
Frequency of
the antibody
60%
50%
SCLC
Ovary, breast, uterus
SCLC
Hodgkin’s disease
Others
VGCC-Ab
Yo –Ab
Hu-Ab, Cv2-Ab
Tr-Ab
Ma2
80%
50%
50%
20%
Neuroblastoma
Lung
Breast
Hu-Ab
Ri-Ab
SCLC
Hu-Ab
Hu-Ab,CV2
80%
SCLC
Testicular
Hu-Ab, CV2-Ab, AmphiAb
Ma2-Ab
60%
85%
SCLC
Others
Hu-Ab, CV2-Ab, AmphiAb
Ma2-Ab
15-30%
Lung
-
Sensory neuronopathy
Limbic encephalitis
Encephalomyelitis
Dermato-polymyositis
Uterus, ovary
Recognition of the paraneoplastic antibodies
Clinical Syndrome
Associated Tumour(s)
Autoantibodies
Multifocal
encephalomyelitis/sensory
neuronopathy
SCLC
SCLC, others
SCLC, breast
Various carcinomas
Anti-Hu (ANNA-1)
Anti-CV2 (CRMP-5)
Anti-amphiphysin
Anti-Ma
Cerebellar Degeneration
Breast, ovarian, others
SCLC
SCLC, others
Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Breast carcinoma
Various carcinomas
Anti-Yo (PCA-1)
Anti-Hu (ANNA-1), PCA-2
Anti-CV2
Anti-Tr, Anti-mGluR1
Anti-Ri (ANNA-2)
Anti-Ma
Limbic encephalopathy
SCLC
Testicular, breast
Anti-Hu (ANNA-1), Anti-CV2, PCA-2, Antiamphiphysin
Anti-Ta
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
Breast, ovarian
SCLC, neuroblastoma
SCLC
Testicular
Anti-Ri (ANNA-2)
Anti-Hu (ANNA-1)
Anti-amphiphysin
Anti-Ta
Stiff-man syndrome
Breast, SCLC
Breast
Anti-amphiphysin
Anti-GAD
Retinal degeneration
SCLC
Melanoma
Anti-recoverin
Anti-bipolar cell
Neuromyotonia
Thymoma
Anti-voltage-gated potassium channel
LEMS
SCLC
Anti-voltage-gated calcium channel
DIAGNOSTIC
CRITERIA
Diagnostic criteria for PND
Definite PND:
1. A classical syndrome and cancer that develops within five
years of the diagnosis of the neurological disorder.
2. A non-classical syndrome that resolves or significantly
improves after cancer treatment without concomitant
immunotherapy, provided that the syndrome is not susceptible
to spontaneous remission.
3. A non-classical syndrome with onconeural antibodies (well
characterized or not) and cancer that develops within five years
of the diagnosis of the neurological disorder.
4. A neurological syndrome (classical or not) with well
characterized onconeural antibodies (anti-Hu, Yo, CV2, Ri,
Ma2, or amphiphysin), and no cancer.
Diagnostic criteria for PND
Possible PND
1. A classical syndrome, no onconeural antibodies, no cancer
but at high risk to have an underlying tumour.
2. A neurological syndrome (classical or not) with partially
characterized onconeural antibodies and no cancer.
3. A non-classical syndrome, no onconeural antibodies, and
cancer present within two years of diagnosis.
Diagnostic criteria for PND
Neurological syndrome
Classical
Tm +ve
±ve
onconeural
Ab
Tm -ve
-ve
onconeural
Ab
High risk
cancer
Definite
Non-Classical
Possible
Tm +ve
+ve
onconeural
Ab
Well
characterized
Ab
Definite
Tm -ve
-ve
onconeural
Ab
Partially
characterized
Ab
Possible
Possible
Improvement
after cancer
therapy or
+ve
onconeural
Ab
Definite
PARANEOPLASTIC
SYNDROMES
Historic context
• First description – peripheral
neuropathy in lung Ca patient,
Oppenheim, 1888
• Myasthenia with thymoma –
Weigert, 1901
• Cerebellar degeneration with
ovarian and SCLC – Brain et al,
1951
• Lambert-Eaton
myasthenic
syndrome and SCLC – Lambert et
al, 1956
• Cancer associated retinopathy –
Sawyer et al, 1976
• Croft
&
Wilkinson
1965Carcinomatous neuromyopathy
Dr Edward H Lambert (1915-2003)
Encephalomyelitis
• Immune-mediated inflammatory disorder that can affect any
part of the CNS, dorsal root ganglia, and autonomic nerves.
• main areas involved include the hippocampus (limbic
encephalitis), the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum cerebellar
degeneration), the lower brain stem (brain stem
encephalitis),dorsal root ganglia (sensory neuronopathy), spinal
cord (myelitis)
• Symptoms usually precede tumour detection (SCLC)
• Brain MRI often normal, except limbic encephalitis
• CSF - ↑ protein, mild pleocytosis; may be N
• Most common antibodies:
Anti-Hu (ANNA-1), antiamphiphysin, anti-CV2
• Rare improvement despite tumour treatment
– Immunosuppressive Rx, PLEX, IVIG rarely successful
Limbic Encephalitis
Majority have SCLC, occ testicular, thymoma, other carcinoma
Usually part of encephalomyelitis syndrome
Symptoms: subacute amnestic syndrome, affective disorder, anteroand retrograde amnesia, hallucinations or delusions, seizures
common, abnormal sleep/wake, labile BP, SIADH
MRI: increased T2 signal medial temporal lobes/amygdala, occ
hypothalamus, basal forebrain
CSF: N or mild pleocytosis, ↑ protein
Path: non-spec neuronal loss, gliosis, perivasc infiltrates,
microglial nodules
Anti-Hu (ANNA-1) (other Ab’s occ)
Workup: Look for SCLC – CT Chest, other CT
Course variable: many may improve after tumour Rx, frequently
stabilize at moderate/severe disability
Cerebellar degeneration
Majority have SCLC, ovarian Ca (other female genital Ca), breast
Ca or Hodgkin’s
Symptoms usually predate cancer dx:
•Diffuse dysfunction of cerebellum:
•Dysarthria, oculomotor dysfunction
•Appendicular and gait ataxia
•Many superimposed signs of multifocal encephalomyelitis
•May also have LEMS or PN
•Deficits worsen for weeks-months then stabilize
•Few can walk, feed selves or sit
Anti-Yo (PCA-1) (anti-Tr, anti-Ri, anti-Ma, anti-Hu)
Cerebellar degeneration
Path: diffuse loss of Purkinje cells
MRI scans N early, later diffuse atrophy
CSF: mild ↑ protein, pleocytosis
Work-up: Tumour search guided by type of antibody; if –ve,
repeat q3-4 mos
Few improve with tumour Rx or with immunosuppressive Rx
Cerebellar degeneration
Cerebellar degeneration
Opsoclonous - myoclonus
Usually disorder of children, ½ have neuroblastoma
Symptoms develop before or after tumour found, fluctuate
Respond to tumour Rx and ACTH, profound deficits freq
Adult syndrome also ass’d with ataxia/falls, precedes tumour Dx
– SCLC, Ca breast
Paraneoplastic clinically worse than idiopathic, does not
respond as well to Rx, progresses more
MRI normal, CSF protein ↑
Antibodies: Anti-Ri (ANNA-2), occ PCA-1, anti-Hu
Adult work-up: mammo, pelvic exam & imaging, CEA, CA-125;
smokers CT or MRI chest
Better outcome than PCD or encephalomyelitis
Rx with steroids, ACTH, tumour Rx
Lambert – Eaton mysthenic syndrome
Associated with cancer in 40-70%, SCLC
Presynaptic inhib release of quanta of ACh at
NMJ
Syndrome precedes tumour discovery in most, by
up to 5y
fatigue, proximal weakness, muscle aches,
autonomic dysfunction(dry mouth, constipation,
impotence), paresthesias
Reflexes absent, improve after voluntary
contraction (facilitation)
Lambert – Eaton mysthenic syndrome
Isolated ocular weakness virtually exclude the
diagnosis
Reduced CMAP on rep stim, ↑ with facilitation,
jitter on SFEMG
Antibody found, usually N- or P/Q-type Cachannel Ab’s (occ ANNA-1)
Indistinguishable from non- paraneoplastic but
later may be in younger female
Non PN –LEMS associated with autoimmune
Thyroiditis and IDDM
3,4 Diaminopyridine,or combination of pyrodistigmine and guanidine
IVIG, PE,Immunesuppression(azathioprine)
Lambert – Eaton mysthenic syndrome
Lambert – Eaton mysthenic syndrome
D-Penicillamine should never be used
Following produce worsening of weakness in most.
Use with caution
a. Succinylcholine
b. D-tubocurarine, other neuromuscular-blocking
agents
c. Quinine, quinidine, and procainamide
d. Aminoglycoside Abx, particularly gentamicin
e. Beta blockers
f. Calcium-channel blockers
g. Magnesium salts (incl. laxatives and antacids)
h. Iodinated contrast
Lambert – Eaton mysthenic syndrome
Stiff person syndrome
3 similar syndromes
– original “stiff-person syndrome” with anti-GAD
antibodies
– multifocal PREM affecting spinal interneurons
SCLC, thymoma, Ca breast/colon
aching/rigidity axial muscles, painful spasms
– anti-amphiphysin stiff-person syndrome
breast/SCLC
similar to multifocal PREM
Treatment with baclofen, clonazepam, diazepam in
high doses and Often respond to steroids
Extrapyramidal symptoms
•
Although only reported as case reports or
small series, extrapyramidal symptoms such
as chorea, dystonia, and Parkinson’s disease
can also be signs of paraneoplastic
encephalitis.. Anti-Hu, anti-Ma, or antiCRMP5/CV2 reactivity has been found in
some of these patients.
Myelitis
• An isolated myelitis is a very rare
manifestation of PND.
• Pathologically, mostly the grey matter is
involved.
• Clinically, a motor neuron syndrome, with
both flaccid and spastic paresis, may occur.
If a part of a paraneoplastic syndrome, most
cases will show progression to involve other
areas of the brain and peripheral nerves,
and CSF testing will show an inflammatory
Autonomic neuropathy
•Some
patients showed progressive
autonomic dysfunction with postural
dizziness, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.
•Others
show disturbances of intestinal
motility, such as gastroparesis, intestinal
pseudo-obstruction, or oesophageal
achalasia..
Mononeuropathy
- Mononeuropathies may also be the
first signs of a paraneoplastic disorder,
mainly associated with anti-Hu antibodies.
Single cranial nerves, especially VIII, may
be involved, but also others such as the
ulnar nerve.
•Motor-neuron syndromes
-According to Forsyth and colleagues,
three groups of patients with motor-neuron
syndromes and cancer may be
distinguished.
- The first group are anti-Hu positive, and
the paraneoplastic aetiology is proven;
their clinical symptoms will progress to
involve other areas of the nervous system.
•Motor-neuron syndromes
-The second group is women with an
upper motor-neuron disease, resembling
primary lateral sclerosis, who have an
associated breast cancer (but no
associated antibodies have been described
so far).
-The third group is patients with cancer
and a motor-neuron syndrome resembling
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in whom the
association is probably coincidental.
Paraneoplastic Immune mediated Disorders of the Muscle
Dermatomyositis/Polymyositis
–
Debated if more frequent in Ca patients
– Dermatomyositis has 15-20% incidence of Ca,
polymyositis 9%
• Lung adenoCa
• all patients (particularly those older than 50 years)
shouldundergo cancer screening.
– proximal muscle weakness,myalgia, and muscle
tenderness.Pharyngeal, esophageal, and neck flexor
muscles
– purplish discoloration of the eyelids (heliotrope rash)
– edema, and erythematous, scaly lesions over the
knuckles.
Paraneoplastic Immune mediated Disorders of the Muscle
Acute necrotizing myopathy
• Rare paraneoplastic manifestation of
cancer
• acute and severe muscle weakness,
markedly ↑ ↑ serum muscle enzymes, and
extensive muscle necrosis with mild or
absent inflammatory infiltrates.
Lymphoproliferative disorders
Myeloma associated with several PND
– Most types of neuropathies
Various forms – acute GBS,CIDP
– Antibodies directed against myelin
– CSF protein ↑
– Some respond to tumour therapy, but
can remit spontaneously
Lymphoproliferative disorders
Osteosclerotic myeloma
Only 3% of myeloma, but ½ have ssociated
motor neuropathy
– POEMS syndrome (Polyneuropathy, rganomegaly,
Endocrinopathy, M protein, Skin changes)
Peak onset 40-60, more common in
Japanese
Other changes – thrombocytosis,
anasarca
–
– Rx – resect sclerotic lesion, radiation, prednisone, chemo
(melphalan, cyclophosphamide)
Lymphoproliferative disorders
–
–
–
–
Paraprotein-associated, amyloid
deposition
Dx through immunoelectrophoresis
detection of paraprotein, skeletal survey
(sclerotic lesion)
CSF protein ↑
Pathology: mixed axonal/demyelinating
Ocular Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Eye movement disorders
– Opsoclonus-myoclonus
Associated with childhood neuroblastoma,
adult breast or gyne cancer
ANNA-2 antibody associated
“dancing eyes” – rapid, chaotic oscillatory
nystagmus, usually conjugate
May also have systemic myoclonus
Usually progressive, occ remission with
steroids or ACTH
Optic Neuritis
Ocular Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR)
–
–
–
–
–
–
Progressive, painless visual loss, and night
blindness
Initially episodic, quickly persistent, progress to
blindness within months, may be unilat, then bilat
Ring, central scotomata, colour loss
Most have underlying SCLC
Antibody to recoverin – protein involved in
photoreception
Occasional response to steroids or IVIgG
DIFFERENTIAL
DIAGNOSIS
Paraneoplastic Disorder
Differential Diagnosis
Additional Considerations in Patients
Known to Have Cancer
Cerebellar degeneration
Alcohol-related
Vitamin deficiency (thiamine, vitamin E)
Toxins (anticonvulsants, other)
Infectious or postinfectious cerebellitis
Miller-Fisher syndrome
GAD- associated cerebellar ataxia
Gliadin-associated cerebellar ataxia
Idiopathic
Cerebellar metastasis
Chemotherapy toxicity (5-fluoruracil, AraC)
Limbic encephalitis
Viral encephalitis (HSV)
Temporal lobe tumor
Stroke
Toxic-metabolic encephalopathy
Idiopathic
Brain metastasis
Herpesvirus 6 limbic encephalitis (in
particular after bone marrow
transplantation)
Sensory neuronopathy
Sjögren’s syndrome
Toxins (pyridoxine)
Idiopathic
Chemotherapy toxicity (cisplatin,
paclitaxel, docetaxel, vincristine)
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
Infectious, postinfectious encephalitis
Toxins
Metabolic encephalopathy
Idiopathic
Brain metastasis
INVESTIGATIONS
IMPORTANT TESTS TO NARROW THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PND
Brain MRI (with gadolinium)
exclude tumour, malignant meningitis, viral
encephalitis, CJD, abscess and stroke.
In paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis and limbic
encephalitis there is frequently cerebral atrophy.
In limbic encephalitis the mesial temporal region is
frequently abnormal.
In paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration there may
be cerebellar atrophy, especially when the disease has
been present for some time
IMPORTANT TESTS TO NARROW THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PND
CSF. In PND affecting the CNS, the CSF may
be normal but more commonly shows a mild
lymphocytosis and a nonspecific increase in
protein, IgG and IgG index, sometimes with
oligoclonal bands (30%).
In chronic inflammatory demyelinating
polyradiculopathy, the high CSF protein and
normal white cell count help confi rm the
diagnosis.
IMPORTANT TESTS TO NARROW THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PND
Electroencephalogram
exclude herpes simplex encephalitis, nonconvulsive status and CJD. It may show
slowing over the temporal lobes or frontally in
limbic encephalitis and PEM
Electro-retinogram
is flat in most cases of paraneoplastic
retinopathy even though vision may be
retained. In melanoma-associated retinopathy
the dark adapted B wave has reduced
amplitude.
IMPORTANT TESTS TO NARROW THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PND
Neurophysiology.
In paraneoplastic sensory neuropathy, nerve
conduction usually confirms the sensory neuropathy
with reduced amplitude of SNAP in the presence of
normal motor amplitudes and conduction.
In LEMS, will demonstrate reduced amplitude of the
compound muscle action potential with single
supramaximal stimulation; an increase after exercise
(postexercise facilitation); a decremental response to
repetitive stimulation at 3 Hz; an incremental
response > 200% at > 30Hz; and increased jitter on
single fibre EMG
IMPORTANT TESTS TO NARROW THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PND
Tensilon test
is not usually necessary although it is sometimes
positive in LEMS, but seldom dramatically. It may give
some idea of how the patient might respond to
pyridostigmine.
Biopsies.
Brain biopsy is seldom indicated except perhaps in
some antibody negative cases to exclude cerebral
vasculitis or intravascular lymphoma. Sural nerve
biopsy is very rarely needed to exclude vasculitis,
demyelination or lymphomatous infi ltration of the
nerves. Muscle biopsy may exclude myositis or
myopathy in the occasional diffi cult case.
TREATMENT
Approach to treatment :
PND of the CNS
Tumor Known
No tumor known
Tumor newly
remission
Tumor newly
diagnosed
yes
Tumor newly
No
Neurologic symptom progression
at the time of PND diagnosis
No
Yes; KPS<508
Treat the tumor ang/
Or supportive care
Yes; KPS
Neurologic symptom progression
at the time of PND diagnosis
Yes; KPS ≥50*
≥50*
Yes; KPS<508
No
Supportive care
Treat the tumor +
Immunosuppressants
Improvement or
stabilization of PND
Progressio of PND
KPS <50*
Supportive care
KPS ≥50
Improvement
or stabilization
of PND
ImmunosuppressantsA
And/or
immunosuppressantsB
Progression
Of PND
Supportive
care
Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes: response to treatment
Syndromes that often respond to treatment
Lambert Eaton myasthenic
syndrome
3,4-diaminopyridine, IVIG,
plasma exchange,
immunosuppression
Myasthenia gravis
Plasma exchange, IVIG,
immunosuppression
Dermatomyositis
Immunosuppression, IVIG
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
(pediatric)
Steroids, IVIG, ACTH
Neuropathy (osterosclerotic
myeloma)
Radiation, chemotherapy
Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes: response to treatment
Syndromes that may respond to treatment
Stiff-man syndrome
IVIG, steroids, diazepam,
baclofen
Neuromyotonia
Plasma exchange, IVIG
Guillain-Barré (Hodgkin's)
Plasma exchange, IVIG
Vasculitis of nerve and
muscle
Steroids,
cyclophosphamide
Limbic encephalitis
IVIG, steroids
Opsoclonus-myoclonus
(adult)
Steroids, protein A column,
cyclophosphamide
Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes: response to treatment
Syndromes that usually do not respond to treatment
Cerebellar degeneration
Encephalomyelitis, sensory
neuronopathy, autonomic dysfunction
Syndromes that may improve spontaneously
Cerebellar degeneration (Hodgkin's)
Guillain-Barré (Hodgkin's)
Lower motor neuropathy (lymphoma)
Opsoclonus-myoclonus (pediatric and
adult)
*For all paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes, initial treatment should focus on detecting and
treating the tumor.
**Immunosuppression includes steroids and azathioprine.
ACTH—adrenocorticotropic hormone; IVIG—intravenous immunoglobulin.
Pharmacologic treatment
• Immunosuppressive treatments are used for those
PND in which the antibodies are directly pathogenic,
such as LEMS.
In these disorders, clinical improvement can be
expected after treatment because the area of the
nervous system involved is not irreversibly damaged.
Responses to immunosuppression (steroids,
cyclophosphamide, and azathioprine) have also been
reported in some cases of vasculitis of muscle and
nerve and dermatomyositis ..
Pharmacologic treatment
Prednisone
Standard dosage
1mg/kg per day administered orally.
Contraindications diabetes, underlying infections, hypertension,
or peptic ulcer disease need to be monitored closely.
Main drug interactions None known.
Main side effects
Hyperglycemia, hypertension, leukocytosis,
thrombocytosis, peptic ulceration,
insomnia, and osteoporosis.
Pharmacologic treatment
Cyclophosphamide
broad immunosuppressive agent that decreases humoral and
cellular immunity.
Standard dosage No standard dose has been determined. Of
the patients who have been reported with responses, some were
treated with 0.5 g per day for 2 to 4 days per month.
Contraindications Patients with diabetes, underlying
infections, hypertension, or peptic ulcer diseaseneed to be
monitored closely.
Main drug interactions Allopurinol.
Main side effects Nausea, vomiting, myelosuppression,
headache, dizziness, and hemorrhagic cystitis. Increased risk of
myelo- or lymphoproliferative malignancies.
Special points Blood counts need to be monitored for
leukopenia, and urine needs to be monitored for hematuria..
Pharmacologic treatment
Azathioprine
Standard dosage 2 to 3 mg/kg. Dose is adjusted to leukocyte
and platelet counts.
Contraindications Leukopenia or thrombocytopenia.
Main drug interactions Angiotensin-converting enzyme
inhibitors, warfarin, and mycophenolate.
Main side effects Nausea, vomiting, bone marrow
suppression, hypersensitivity pneumonitis,pancreatitis,
hepatotoxicity, and long-term risk of leukemia or lymphoma.
Special points Dose needs to be adjusted according to
creatinine clearance. Need to monitorblood counts.
Pharmacologic treatment
Intravenous immunoglobulin
Standard dosage There is no standard dose. Some patients have
received 0.4 g/kg per day for 5 consecutive days each month. for
the treatment of non-paraneoplastic stiff-man syndrome, patients
received 2 g/kg per month (divided into two consecutive daily
doses of 1 g/kg) for 3 months.
Contraindications Immunoglobulin A deficiency, previous
hypersensitivity, hyperviscosity syndrome, vascular disease, and
renal insufficiency.
Main drug interactions None known.
Main side effects Headache, nausea, fever, and aseptic
meningitis.
Special points The use of 60-mg intravenous
methylprednisolone may decrease the severity of headache.
Interventional Procedures
Protein A column immunoadsorption
There is no set standard procedure. In the
clinical trial reported by Batchelor et al.
Patients were treated with protein A
immunoadsorption therapy twice aweek for 3
weeks for a total of six sessions.
At each session, approximately 250 to
300 mL of plasma were perfused over the
column.
Pharmacologic treatment
Plasma exchange
Plasma exchange reduces serum levels of antibodies and is useful for those
PND directly mediated by antibodies. Plasma exchange also reduces
circulating levels of cytokines and other mediators of inflammation that
could contribute to its effectiveness as an immunomodulatory therapy.
Standard procedure Often performed every other day for a total of six
exchanges. The exact number of exchanges should be adjusted for each
patient. Some patients will require maintenance therapy on a monthly or less
frequent basis.
Contraindications Poor medical condition, cardiac insufficiency, and
coagulopathy.
Complications Hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, clotting abnormalities,
electrolyte disturbances,
muscle cramping, and infection at catheter site.
Special points Must be performed in hospital setting, and may require
indwelling catheter.
Symptomatic treatment
Limbic encephalitis
Antiepileptics, antidepressives
Focal epilepsy
Antiepileptics
Opsoclonus
Clonazepam, propranolol
Myoclonus
Trihexyphenidyl, benzatropine, valproic
acid
Sensory neuropathy
Carbamazepine, amitriptyline
Autonomic neuropathy
Cardiac pacemaker, sympathomimetics,
anticholinergics
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic
3,4-diaminopyridine, pyridostigmine
Myasthenia gravis
Pyridostigmine
Neuromyotonia
Carbamazepine, phenytoin
Stiff-man syndrome
Diazepam, clonazepam, baclofen,
tizanidin,vigabatrin, botulinum Tx
GENERAL COMMENTS
Treatment of PND of the central nervous system has
been, to date, unrewarding.
A review of the literature and anecdotal case reports
suggests that the best chance for stabilization or
improvement of the PND is to identify and
aggressively treat the associated cancer.
Additionally, a response to immunosuppression or
immunomodulatory therapy is more likely if the
patient is treated within 2 weeks of symptom onset
and is not severely affected at the time of treatment
initiation.
CASES
CASE 1
CASE 1
CASE 1
CASE 2
CASE 2
CASE 2
CASE 3
CASE 4
CASE 4