Update on Paraneoplastic Neuromuscular Disorders

• Published in: Current treatment options in neurology Vol. 24; no. 7; pp. 267 - 284
• Main Authors: De León, Andrés M., Harrison, Taylor B., Garcia-Santibanez, Rocio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.07.2022
• Subjects: Critical Care Medicine; Diabetes; Family Medicine; General Practice; Intensive; Internal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurology; Neuromuscular Disorders (C Fournier; Ophthalmology; Section Editor; Topical Collection on Neuromuscular Disorders; Paraneoplastic syndrome; Neuromuscular disorders; Neuropathy; Neuromuscular junction; Myopathy; Neuronopathy
• ISSN: 1092-8480; 1534-3138
• DOI: 10.1007/s11940-022-00722-7

Purpose of Review To review the clinical presentation and diagnosis of different paraneoplastic neuromuscular disorders and the available data on their treatment. Recent Findings Paraneoplastic neuromuscular disorders are rare, and their treatment needs a multidisciplinary approach. Given their rarity, there are no clinical trials specifically looking at these disorders and thus treatment is guided by management of autoimmune neuromuscular syndromes. Summary Paraneoplastic neuromuscular disorders can affect the entire axis of the peripheral nervous system including disorders of muscle, neuromuscular junction, peripheral nerve, and the sensory or motor neurons. Early detection and treatment of the underlying malignancy is key to the effective management of these conditions. Immune therapy can be offered but the evidence is strongest for treatment of muscle and neuromuscular junction diseases. Additional research is needed to better understand and treat paraneoplastic disorders of the nerves as well as the sensory and motor neurons.