title: Paraneoplastic neuromuscular disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paraneoplastic neurological disorders are rare autoimmune conditions that can affect any part of the nervous system, including the peripheral nervous system. These disorders are associated with certain types of cancer, and the peripheral nervous system dysfunction often precedes the symptoms from the cancer itself.
  
  
  METHODS
  This investigation was undertaken as a topic review.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Learning to recognize paraneoplastic neuromuscular disorders, the associated antibodies and their implications, and the appropriate screening modalities can, in some cases, lead to an earlier diagnosis of cancer. Eliminating the cancer, if present, and immunomodulation can potentially improve the symptoms and clinical outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-9036, USA.
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vernino
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D020361:Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy