Guide To The Types Of Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Cerebellar Degeneration

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration is the most commonly recognized and devastating of the paraneoplastic syndromes. It occurs in fewer than one percent of cancer patients. The condition is associated with a number of different tumors like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and some other forms of cancer. It's believed the condition occurs when the immune system attacks portions of the central nervous system, generally Purkinje cells, which are found in the cerebellum. They are among the largest neurons in a human's brain. It's common for patients to seek treatment for paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration before their underlying cancer is identified. The neurological symptoms include ataxia, involuntary eye movement, and speech disorders.

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