Paraneoplastic Syndromes

First monograph devoted to paraneoplastic syndromes since 1965 Divided into 4 sections (an overview of the field; discussion of clinical findings and treatment of individual syndromes; the antibodies that characterise syndromes and the syndromes associated with individual cancers) making it accessible and easily navigable Describes in detail the knowledge of clinical findings in pathogenesis Paraneoplastic syndromes, defined in this book as "disorders caused by cancer, but not a direct result of cancer invasion of the affected organ or tissue", once believed to be rare and esoteric neurologic disorders have assumed increasing importance as an explanation of neurologic and other symptoms in patients suffered from occult or controllable cancers. This book attempts a comprehensive review of paraneoplastic syndromes from considering both clinical and pathophysiologic aspects. The book is divided into 4 sections: The first is an overview, classifying the disorders, describing a clinical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of paraneoplastic syndromes in general and identifying their pathogenesis. The second section discusses the clinical findings and treatment of individual paraneoplastic syndromes with chapters dedicated to each of the neurologic syndromes and a chapter discussing nonneurologic syndromes such as endocrine, cutaneous, and rheumatologic paraneoplastic disorders. The third section discusses autoantibodies that characterize individual paraneoplastic syndromes. The final section discusses the paraneoplastic syndromes associated with individual cancers. Robert B. Darnell, MD, PhD , Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Heilbrunn Cancer Professor and Senior Physician, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY., and  Jerome B. Posner, MD, FAAN , Evelyn Frew American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor, George C. Cotzias Chair of Neuro-oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY Contents SECTION 1 OVERVIEW 1. HISTORY DEFINITIONS CLASSIFICATION HISTORY Pathogenesis EPIDEMIOLOGY IMPORTANCE 2. CLINICAL FINDINGS, TREATMENT AND PROGNOSIS INTRODUCTION CLINICAL APPROACH The Patient without Known Cancer The Patient with Known Cancer CLUES TO DIAGNOSIS Clinical Findings Laboratory Investigation PATHOLOGY TREATMENT Plasma Exchange (Plasmapheresis) Intravenous Immunoglobulin Rituximab Cyclophosphamide Corticosteroids Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Recommendations PROGNOSIS 3. PATHOGENESIS INTRODUCTION HISTORICAL VIEWS Toxic Substances Competition for Essential Substrate Bullet Opportunistic Infection Immune Mediated CURRENT CONCEPTS OF PATHOGENESIS Unresolved Questions Conclusions ANIMAL MODELS SECTION 2 CLINICAL SYNDROMES 4. BRAIN (CEREBRUM) INTRODUCTION CEREBRAL CORTEX WHITE MATTER DEMYELINATION BLOOD VESSELS (VASCULITIS) HIPPOCAMPUS/LYMBIC ENCEPHALITIS TASTE