[Paraneoplastic syndromes with peripheral nerve involvement]

To review the paraneoplastic complications described affecting the peripheral nervous system.

Different types of tumors, especially secretory carcinomas and some lymphomas may affect the peripheral nerves, and this may often precede clinical signs of the tumor. Depending on the clinical features we may consider sensory neuropathies, motor neuropathies, senso-motor neuropathies, autonomic neuropathies, mononeuritis, and neuromyotonia. They may present in an isolated form or as part of a more generalized involvement of the nervous system.

The presence of certain anti-Hu antibodies, which act against nerves or antibodies which attack the voltage-dependent potassium channels in a peripheral nervous system disorder make one suspect a paraneoplastic origin.