Celiac disease presenting as a paraneoplastic syndrome in a patient with synchronous endometrial and ovarian cancers.
OBJECTIVE
Celiac disease is characterized by gluten intolerance and commonly manifests with unexplained diarrhea, abdominal distention and weight loss. Infrequently, patients present with vague, non-specific symptoms which often delay diagnosis and treatment.


METHODS
A 52-year-old female with a history of synchronous endometrial and ovarian cancers, previously treated with surgical resection, staging and pelvic irradiation, presented with progressive paresthesias in her extremities. Extent of disease work-up was unremarkable. Neurologic evaluation suggested celiac disease which was later proven by duodenal biopsy.


CONCLUSIONS
The development of new or worsening neurologic symptoms in the cancer patient requires a thorough evaluation especially to exclude metastatic disease and/or paraneoplastic syndromes. Once neoplastic processes are excluded, celiac disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with unexplained neurologic dysfunction.
Haddad
Lisa
L
State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11790, USA.
Amsterdam
Alison
A
Chi
Dennis S
DS
D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000150:complications*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020361:Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis