Abstract:
Background. Paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) are distant effects of cancer not caused by
direct tumor invasion or metastasis. In rheumatology, they often mimic autoimmune
diseases, leading to diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic challenges due to overlapping
symptoms and unclear clinical presentation.
Objective(s). To review the clinical features, underlying mechanisms, and diagnostic
approaches of paraneoplastic rheumatic syndromes, highlighting their role in early cancer
detection.
Materials and methods. This research analyzed bibliographic sources from PubMed,
Google Scholar, Oxford Academic, and Medline, covering publications between 2014 and
2024. After filtering with keywords related to paraneoplastic syndromes, 16 relevant
sources were included for this detailed review study.
Results. Paraneoplastic rheumatic disorders (RDs) are diverse immune-mediated
conditions linked to overt or occult malignancies. These include paraneoplastic arthritis,
hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, amyloid arthropathy, vasculitis, dermatomyositis,
polymyositis, scleroderma-like syndromes, and panniculitis-polyarthritis. They mimic
autoimmune diseases but show atypical features such as acute onset in elderly, asymmetry,
resistance to immunosuppressants, and rapid progression. Symptoms often precede cancer
diagnosis, offering a crucial diagnostic window. Accurate diagnosis guides cancer detection
and improves prognosis.
Conclusion(s). Paraneoplastic rheumatic disorders serve as vital diagnostic clues to hidden
malignancies. Early identification and prompt tumor-targeted treatment are crucial for
successful management, since standard rheumatologic therapies frequently ineffective in
controlling these paraneoplastic manifestations.
