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Paraneoplastic sensorimotor neuropathy associated with breast cancer

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Summary

Paraneoplastic sensorimotor neuropathy occurs in association with many different types of cancer. The clinical findings are heterogeneous, and the pathogenesis is unknown. We have encountered 9 women with breast cancer and shared neurological features that suggest a distinct paraneoplastic syndrome. The syndrome is characterized by upper and lower extremity paresthesias and numbness, itching, muscle weakness and cramps, and in some, radicular symptoms and signs. Serum and CSF inflammatory changes suggested an immune pathogenesis but none had detectable antibodies directed at nervous system elements. Six patients presented with neuropathy 2 months to 8 years before the discovery of the breast cancer. In 7 the neoplastic disease was localized to the breast and axillary lymph nodes. The neurologic course was chronic in all, and while symptoms were annoying, disability was minimal until late. One improved transiently with plasmapheresis, and three had mild transient improvement with treatment of the cancer. Recognition of this paraneoplastic syndrome may forewarn the physician of an underlying breast malignancy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    Kendra Peterson

  2. Brain Tumor Group, Tom Baker Cancer Center, USA

    Peter A. Forsyth

  3. Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York, USA

    Kendra Peterson, Peter A. Forsyth & Jerome B. Posner

  4. Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York, USA

    Kendra Peterson, Peter A. Forsyth & Jerome B. Posner

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  1. Kendra Peterson
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  2. Peter A. Forsyth
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  3. Jerome B. Posner
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Peterson, K., Forsyth, P.A. & Posner, J.B. Paraneoplastic sensorimotor neuropathy associated with breast cancer. J Neuro-Oncol 21, 159–170 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01052900

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