Paraneoplastic rheumatic syndromes

Paraneoplastic symptoms caused by a malignancy but not directly related to tumour invasion are the result of a wide variety of tumour-derived biologic mediators, such as hormones, peptides, antibodies, cytotoxic lymphocytes, autocrine and paracrine mediators. Recognition of paraneoplastic syndromes is important, as it may lead to an early diagnosis of cancer. On the other hand, the clinical severity of the symptoms can be used as a guide to the extent of response to underlying tumour therapy. The quality of life of the patient is affected, therefore the palliative treatment of paraneoplasia is very important.