Response of paraneoplastic syndromes to antineoplastic therapy.

The development of a clinically apparent paraneoplastic syndrome in a patient with malignant disease is cause for considerable concern as the symptoms can be as serious and difficult to deal with as those produced by the cancer itself. While the information in the medical literature concerning the response of paraneoplastic processes to specific antineoplastic therapy is limited, case reports and small series would suggest that a number of syndromes are alleviated with successful treatment of the underlying neoplasm. As treatment programs for advanced malignant disease improve, a larger percentage of patients suffering from the effects of paraneoplastic processes will benefit from therapy directed at their cancer.