Paraneoplastic syndromes

Overview

Paraneoplastic syndromes are a group of rare nervous system (neurological) disorders that may develop in some people who have cancer. They are caused by your immune system's response to cancer cells in your body. In paraneoplastic syndromes, cancer-fighting agents of your immune system attack cells in your nervous system.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for paraneoplastic syndromes

• Experience. Mayo Clinic doctors trained in nervous system conditions (neurologists), cancer (oncologists) and other specialties have experience evaluating and treating people with paraneoplastic syndromes. Mayo Clinic doctors trained in the nervous and immune systems (neuroimmunology) diagnose and treat paraneoplastic autoimmune neurological disorders, autoimmune neurological disorders and neurosarcoidosis.
• Team approach. Mayo Clinic doctors work together to diagnose and treat your condition.
• Diagnostic tests. Mayo Clinic doctors use many tests to diagnose paraneoplastic syndromes. Tests may include blood tests, spinal taps, positron emission tomography (PET), computerized tomography (CT), PET-CT, magnetic resonance imaging and others.
• Research. Mayo Clinic doctors study potential diagnostics tools and treatments for paraneoplastic syndromes and conduct clinical trials. Mayo Clinic researchers discovered the antibody tests that are used to diagnose paraneoplastic syndromes.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked high performing for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic also ranks among the Best Children's Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic
What Sets Mayo Clinic Apart

Read more about diagnosis and treatment of paraneoplastic syndromes.