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Paraneoplastic Syndrome Research Paper

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Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Paraneoplastic syndromes are rare disorders triggered by a person's immune system in response to a cancerous tumor. Paraneoplastic syndromes can affect many areas of the body systems, including the nervous system, hormone (endocrine) system, skin (dermatologic) system, blood (hematologic) system, and joints (rheumatologic) system.

CAUSES
The exact cause of these syndromes is not known. However, these syndromes are believed to occur when the tumor cells of the cancer cause an immune response in the body system where the cancer is located.
The normal cancer-fighting response from the immune system activates white blood cells, also called T cells, which target cancer cells in the area. The cancer-fighting cells also …show more content…

• MRI.
• CT scan.
• Positron emission tomography (PET).
• Electroencephalogram (EEG).
• Electromyelogram (EMG).

TREATMENT
There is no cure for these syndromes. Treatment will first focus on treating whatever cancer you have. Then, treatment will focus on helping your immune system lower its response to the tumor. This may be done with:
• Steroids.
• Medicines to slow the immune response (immunosuppressants).
• Anti-seizure medicines.
• Blood cleansing (plasmapheresis).
• Immunoglobulin antibodies given intravenously (IVIg).
Speech and physical therapy may also be recommended.

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do any speech or physical therapy as told by your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
• You have a fever.
• You have a reaction to a medicine you are taking.
• Your symptoms change or get worse.

SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:
• You have trouble breathing.
• You have more trouble

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