[Malignant tumor with peripheral neuropathy as presenting symptom--clinical analysis of 52 cases]

Fifty-two cases of malignant tumors with peripheral neuropathy as presenting symptom are reported. The duration of the peripheral neuropathy varied from 2 to 11 months before the malignant tumors were confirmed. The initial peripheral neuropathy included cranial nerve, sciatic nerve, intercostal nerve, brachial plexus, multiple peripheral nerves, thoracic outlet syndrome, polyneuritis, peripheral neuritis, autonomic nerve and Horner's syndrome. Most of these malignant tumors were lung cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer and hepatic carcinoma in order of incidence. Pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of these tumors are discussed with review of the literature. The author emphasizes that if there was peripheral neuropathy of unknown cause, examination has to be done in detail and repeatedly for early diagnosis and better result.