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Paraneoplastic Syndromes: Symptoms, Types & Treatment

Paraneoplastic syndromes are uncommon diseases that develop due to the presence of cancerous tumors. In some cases, these tumors send out substances that disrupt the activities of your body’s organs and systems. Also, your body may unintentionally destroy health tissues while trying to destroy a tumor. Any damage to the healthy tissues in your body can result in symptoms of paraneoplastic syndrome.

What is paraneoplastic syndrome?

A paraneoplastic syndrome can be described as a group of symptoms that occurs in people with cancer. These symptoms occur when a result in changes in your body. In most cases, these changes are not directly caused by cancer. The tumor releases a hormone or protein that disrupts your body’s system.

Paraneoplastic syndromes make your immune system release antibodies that will kill the tumor. The antibodies released may accidentally destroy healthy cells. This reaction is clinically referred to as an autoimmune response.

Paraneoplastic syndromes can affect multiple body systems and organs, including your nervous system, endocrine system (hormones), kidneys, bones, joints, skin and blood, etc.