Paraneoplastic syndromes

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Paraneoplastic syndromes comprise a variety of signs and symptoms that are not directly caused by the primary tumor or its metastases. They may be metabolic, dystrophic or degenerative disorders resulting from remote humoral or hormonal effects, and spontaneously disappear after successful tumor excision or chemo- or radiotherapy. A few years ago, paraneoplastic syndromes were still thought to be rare. Today, we know that a single tumor is capable of producing a variety of hormones and that paraneoplastic syndromes are caused by this ectopic formation of hormones, hormone-like polypeptides, and growth factors. Recent research has shown that viral metabolic intermediates, mutated oncogenes, and suppressor genes may also be involved. The early diagnosis of a paraneoplastic syndrome is crucial, for it may point to an undetected tumor or signal tumor relapse. This book covers endocrinal, neurologic, muscular, cutaneous, hematologic and organ-associated paraneoplastic syndromes and provides a detailed description of their clinical symptoms, diagnosis and therapy. Aiming to promote the understanding of paraneoplastic syndromes, this volume is an indispensable source for their diagnosis and treatment in clinical oncology.