A Review of the Therapy of Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndromes

The therapy of paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes remains unclear and warrants a systematic review of the literature. Reports in English and foreign language literature were abstracted. Data were sorted by the primary paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome, the primary malignancy, and the methods of treatment. Neurologic improvement follows surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiation treatments. Adjuvant immunosuppressive therapy with steroids, plasmapheresis, or immunoglobulin may help stabilize the progression of neurologic symptoms. Syndromes characterized by inflammation or neurotransmitter production without neuronal loss are most responsive to therapy. While treatment of the underlying cancer with appropriate surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation is recommended, the paraneoplastic syndrome should probably be managed with immunosuppressive therapy.