Ovarian carcinoma and paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.

A case of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration complicating ovarian cancer is presented. This rare disorder is characterized by vertigo, nystagmus, diplopia, and ataxia. Neurologic sequelae are progressive, ultimately culminating in complete incapacitation and death. Symptoms of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration precede the diagnosis of malignancy in the majority of cases. Marked elevation in the anti-Purkinje cell antibody titer together with immunofluorescent staining techniques suggest that an autoimmune mechanism plays a role in the etiology of this disorder.