[Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes]

Abstract

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are uncommon and defined by an acute or subacute neurological syndrome associated with a cancer. These syndromes often antedate the diagnostis of the underlying neoplasia that is usually not clinically evident. An early diagnosis is the main condition for a better neurological and carcinologic outcome. Subacute cerebellar ataxia, subacute sensitive neuropathy, limbic encephalomyelitis, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, opsoclonus myoclonus, dermatopolymyositis and intestinal pseudo-obstruction belong to the well-characterized PNS and their presence must lead to onconeuronal antibodies (ONA) detection. Treatment of the underlying neoplasia is the mainstay of treatment to obtain a better outcome. However, recent findings lead to consider immunological specific treatment according to the subtype of associated ONA. PNS associated with ONA targeting membrane antigens are thus usually responsive to immunomodulator therapies. Conversely, PNS associated with ONA targeting intracellular antigens are of poor outcome despite mild improvement under immunosuppressive therapies in some patients.