Paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis. Dramatic response to chemotherapy alone.
Neurologic paraneoplastic syndromes are usually a debilitating and untreatable manifestation of malignancy. The case is presented of a woman with severe paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis that was characterized predominantly by cerebellar degeneration associated with small cell lung cancer, both of which responded rapidly to cytotoxic chemotherapy alone. She is alive with some neurologic residua but no signs of recurrent cancer more than 2 years after diagnosis. Recommendations for aggressive management of this rare but disabling syndrome are outlined.
Batson
O A
OA
Vermont Regional Cancer Center, University of Vermont, Burlington 05401.
Fantle
D M
DM
Stewart
J A
JA
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001284:Atrophy / Q000175:diagnosis; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000473:pathology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004679:Encephalomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*
D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide