Lung cancer-induced paraneoplastic syndromes

Paraneoplastic syndromes occur commonly in patients with lung cancer, especially cancers of neuroendocrine origin. The syndromes can be the first clinical manifestation of malignant disease or a harbinger of cancer recurrence. To update the knowledge that would facilitate the care of lung cancer patients with paraneoplastic syndromes, this review focuses on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, and current management of the more common and clinically relevant syndromes.

Certain combinations of clinical signs and symptoms (endocrine, neurologic, immunologic, dermatologic, metabolic, constitutional, and hematologic) are associated with lung carcinoma as a manifestation of the secretion of cytokines and hormones by these cells or as an associated immunologic response. These syndromes can be categorized by common causative mechanisms: hormonal syndromes, autoimmune syndromes, and other syndromes of less clear cause. Recent advances in medical technology have allowed better understanding of these syndromes and the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Increased awareness of paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung cancer should lead to the earlier recognition and diagnosis of malignancies, thereby improving the overall prognosis of patients and alleviating associated comorbidities. Despite the recent advances in recognizing and treating paraneoplastic syndromes, many questions remain to be answered.