Elsevier

Gynecologic Oncology

Volume 75, Issue 1, October 1999, Pages 178-183
Gynecologic Oncology

Case Report
Anti-Yo Positive Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration Associated with Ovarian Carcinoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature☆

https://doi.org/10.1006/gyno.1999.5553Get rights and content

Abstract

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a rare nonmetastatic neurological complication in cancer patients. Anti-Yo is one of the anti-onconeural antibodies found in PCD patients. It is believed that anti-Yo occurs almost always in women and is most likely associated with gynecologic or breast cancers, although exceptions exist. Here we report a PCD patient with ovarian cancer having high-titer anti-Yo. The acute onset of her PCD symptoms mimicked that of a stroke. Her ovarian cancer tissue contained abundant plasma cells and lymphocytes. After a thorough review of the literature, we propose a schematic hypothesis for the autoimmune pathogenesis of PCD. Despite anecdotal case reports of neurological improvement with different combinations of treatment, including IVIg, there is still no definitely effective treatment for PCD. Further research on the pathogenesis of PCD may lead to more effective therapies.

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    ☆

    This work has not been financially supported in any form from any source. This work has not been presented in any form at any meeting.

    2

    To whom correspondence should be addressed at Department of Internal Medicine, St. Luke's Hospital, 222 South Woods Mill Rd., Chesterfield, MO 63017. Fax: (636) 527-3804. E-mail: [email protected].

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