Paraneoplastic syndromes + cancer

Question 1

Hypercalcaemia can be due to which malignancies?

Answer 1

PTH related protein secreted by tumours:

lung, oesophagus, skin, cervix, breast, kidney

Question 2

SIADH can be due to which malignancies?

Answer 2

Excessive antidiuretic hormone secretion causing decreased Na+

lung, pancreas, lymphomas, prostate

Question 3

Cushings syndrome can be due to which malignancies?

Answer 3

Tumour secrets ACTH or CRF (corticotropin releasing factor), causing adrenal to produce high levels of corticosteroid (cortisol)

Lung, pancreas, thymus, carcinoid

Question 4

Neuropathy can be due to which malignancies?

Answer 4

antibody-mediated neuronal degeneration: peripheral, autonomic, cerebellar

lung, breast, myeloma, Hodgkin’s, GI

Question 5

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome due to which maligancies?

Answer 5

Antibody to voltage-gated ion channel on pre-synaptic membrane causes weakness

(proximal leg most common)

mostly lung, also GI, breast, thymus

Question 6

Dermatomyositis & polymyositis due to which malignancies?

Answer 6

inflammation of the muscles +/- heliotrope rash

due to lung, breast, ovary, GI cancers

Question 7

Acanthosis nigricans due to which malignancies?

Answer 7

Velvety, hyperpigmented skin (usually flexural)

GI malignancy

Question 8

Pemphigus due to which malignancies?

Answer 8

Blisters to skin/mucous membranes

Lymphoma, thymus, kaposi’s sarcoma

Question 9

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy due to:

Answer 9

Periosteal bone formation, arthritis, and finger clubbing

Lung malignancies