Merck Manual

Please confirm that you are not located inside the Russian Federation

Yes No

Leave this Site?

The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site.

Continue Cancel
honeypot link
Merck Manual
Consumer Version
The trusted provider of medical information since 1899
Health Topics & Chapters
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Home /
Quick Facts: Cancer /
Overview of Cancer /
... /
Paraneoplastic Syndromes /
IN THIS TOPIC

What is a paraneoplastic syndrome?

What are the symptoms of paraneoplastic syndromes?

General symptoms Skin symptoms Neurologic (brain, spinal cord, and nerve) symptoms Endocrine (hormone system) symptoms Other symptoms

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Overview of Cancer
Overview of Cancer
Defenses Against Cancer
Development and Spread of Cancer
Diagnosis of Cancer
Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Risk Factors for Cancer
Symptoms of Cancer
Warning Signs of Cancer

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Test your knowledge

Loss of Smell
Anosmia is the total loss of smell. Most people with anosmia can taste sweet, sour, salty, and bitter substances but cannot distinguish among specific flavors. This is because the sense of smell makes it possible to distinguish among flavors, not taste receptors as many people erroneously believe. Which of the following is NOT a common cause of anosmia?
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID

More Content

Quick Facts

Paraneoplastic Syndromes

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision Jul 2021| Content last modified Jul 2021
Click here for the Professional Version
Get the full details

What is a paraneoplastic syndrome?

A neoplasm is an abnormal growth in your body that may be cancerous. If something is “neoplastic,” it has to do with the neoplasm. A paraneoplastic syndrome is a set of symptoms that are caused by a cancer. The symptoms happen in a different area of your body from your cancer.

Most people with cancer don’t get a paraneoplastic syndrome.

  • Paraneoplastic syndromes are caused by your cancer making hormones or your immune system making antibodies (substances that protect your body against certain infection) that flow through your blood

  • Paraneoplastic syndromes cause different symptoms depending on the tissues and organs they occur in

  • About 1 out of 5 people with cancer get a paraneoplastic syndrome—it's most common with lung cancer

What are the symptoms of paraneoplastic syndromes?

General symptoms

  • Fever

  • Night sweats

  • Loss of appetite

  • Weight loss

Skin symptoms

  • Itching

  • Skin flushing or blushing, causing your face, neck, or upper chest to become warm and red

  • You may get noncancerous skin bumps or shingles (a painful rash of fluid-filled blisters caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox)

Neurologic (brain, spinal cord, and nerve) symptoms

  • Weakness or loss of strength

  • Loss of feeling

  • Slower reflexes

  • Trouble using different parts of your body the way you want, such as your arms or legs

  • Trouble speaking

  • Dizziness

  • Double vision (when you see 2 of the same object) or being unable to control your eye movements

The cancer can cause these symptoms without pushing on your nerves or spinal cord.

Endocrine (hormone system) symptoms

  • Weakness

  • Weight gain

  • High blood pressure or heart valve problems

  • Confusion

  • Kidney problems

  • Red, warm skin

  • Wheezing

  • Diarrhea

Other symptoms

  • Muscle swelling that causes weakness and soreness

  • Painful swelling of your joints that may change the shape of your fingers and toes

  • Changes to your blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets)

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: Click here for the Professional Version
Click here for the Professional Version
© 2020 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA)
Diagnosis of Cancer
Risk Factors for Cancer

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Overview of Cancer
Overview of Cancer
Defenses Against Cancer
Development and Spread of Cancer
Diagnosis of Cancer
Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Risk Factors for Cancer
Symptoms of Cancer
Warning Signs of Cancer
Others also read
Paraneoplastic Syndromes Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Eaton-Lambert Syndrome Eaton-Lambert Syndrome
Bronchial Carcinoid Bronchial Carcinoid
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID

Test your knowledge

Loss of Smell
Anosmia is the total loss of smell. Most people with anosmia can taste sweet, sour, salty, and bitter substances but cannot distinguish among specific flavors. This is because the sense of smell makes it possible to distinguish among flavors, not taste receptors as many people erroneously believe. Which of the following is NOT a common cause of anosmia?
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID

Also of Interest

Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID

Merck and the Merck Manuals

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Merck Manual was first published in 1899 as a service to the community. The legacy of this great resource continues as the Merck Manual in the US and Canada and the MSD Manual outside of North America. Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge.

View Privacy Shield Verification Status
View APEC CBPR Privacy Certification Status

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

© 2021 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
TOP