Paraneoplastic Syndromes Associated With Small Cell Lung Cancer

Authors:
Leena GandhiFrom the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Departments of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

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Bruce E. JohnsonFrom the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Departments of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

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Volume/Issue:
Volume 4: Issue 6
Online Publication Date:
Jul 2006
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2006.0052
Full access

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most frequent cancer histology associated with paraneoplastic syndromes. These syndromes are typically caused by ectopic hormone production or immune-mediated tissue destruction caused by neural antigen expression from cancer cells. This antigen expression induces the production of antibodies that cross-react with neural tissue. This article discusses the most common ectopic hormone and neurologic paraneoplastic syndromes and emphasizes the relationships among antigens, clinical syndromes, and outcomes. Although ectopic hormone production has been associated with extensive-stage disease and a poorer outcome, the antibody-mediated paraneoplastic syndromes are prognostic factors associated with more favorable outcomes. Both have the potential for improvement with cancer treatment.

Correspondence: Bruce E. Johnson, MD, Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Room D1234, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115. E-mail: bejohnson@partners.org
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Copyright:
Copyright © 2006 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Page Numbers:
8
Article Category:
Research Article
Received:
12 Apr 2006
Accepted:
01 May 2006
Print Publication Date:
01 Jul 2006
Online Publication Date:
Jul 2006
Keywords:
Paraneoplastic; ectopic; endocrine; neurologic syndrome; small cell lung cancer
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