Neurological paraneoplastic syndromes in patients with breast and gynecological cancer—a case series and structured literature review
- 1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- 2Department of Oncology, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- 3Department of Neuroradiology, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Abstract
Purpose: Neurological paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) occur in less than 1% of patients with cancer but carry a significant clinical burden. Prognosis strongly depends on timely diagnosis and treatment. This study presents an illustrative case series and a structured review of neurological PNS in a gynecological context. This case series describes four patients (ages 61–79) with neurological PNS with underlying breast or pelvic malignancies, diagnosed with anti-amphiphysin encephalitis, autoimmune myeloradiculitis, and paraneoplastic cerebellar ataxia.
Methods: A structured literature review focusing on neurological PNS in gynecological and breast oncology with at least two participants was conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE. The results are synthesized, focusing on diagnostic workup and clinical findings.
Results: The review identified 5 original studies comprising 72 patients. Most cases were associated with breast cancer; however, largely attributable to one large study. Neurological PNS should be considered once alternative etiologies have been excluded through appropriate diagnostic testing. Most often this includes neurologic imaging. Diagnosis requires antibody testing and subsequent malignancy investigation, guided by the specific antibody profiles. Main limitations were the influence of one large study with the remaining sample sizes being small, as well as the retrospective study designs.
Conclusion: Due to their rarity and complexity, neurological PNS pose significant diagnostic and treatment challenges. Since neurological symptoms often precede the cancer diagnosis, thorough diagnostics and prompt treatment are essential, as prognosis is time-sensitive. Multidisciplinary care is crucial, and further research is necessary to improve understanding and management of these syndromes.
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BibTeX
@article{erhardt2026neurological,
title = {{Neurological paraneoplastic syndromes in patients with breast and gynecological cancer—a case series and structured literature review}},
author = {Damaris Erhardt and Maria Karakitsiou and Claudia Rauh and Julian Wampfler and Uzeyir Ahmadli and Franziska Siegenthaler and Michael D. Mueller and Sara Imboden and Flurina A. M. Saner},
journal = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1007/s00404-026-08513-0},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-026-08513-0},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Neurological paraneoplastic syndromes in patients with breast and gynecological cancer—a case series and structured literature review
AU - Damaris Erhardt
AU - Maria Karakitsiou
AU - Claudia Rauh
AU - Julian Wampfler
AU - Uzeyir Ahmadli
AU - Franziska Siegenthaler
AU - Michael D. Mueller
AU - Sara Imboden
AU - Flurina A. M. Saner
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/07
JO - Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
DO - 10.1007/s00404-026-08513-0
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-026-08513-0
AB - Purpose: Neurological paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) occur in less than 1% of patients with cancer but carry a significant clinical burden. Prognosis strongly depends on timely diagnosis and treatment. This study presents an illustrative case series and a structured review of neurological PNS in a gynecological context. This case series describes four patients (ages 61–79) with neurological PNS with underlying breast or pelvic malignancies, diagnosed with anti-amphiphysin encephalitis, autoimmune myeloradiculitis, and paraneoplastic cerebellar ataxia. Methods: A structured literature review focusing on neurological PNS in gynecological and breast oncology with at least two participants was conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE. The results are synthesized, focusing on diagnostic workup and clinical findings. Results: The review identified 5 original studies comprising 72 patients. Most cases were associated with breast cancer; however, largely attributable to one large study. Neurological PNS should be considered once alternative etiologies have been excluded through appropriate diagnostic testing. Most often this includes neurologic imaging. Diagnosis requires antibody testing and subsequent malignancy investigation, guided by the specific antibody profiles. Main limitations were the influence of one large study with the remaining sample sizes being small, as well as the retrospective study designs. Conclusion: Due to their rarity and complexity, neurological PNS pose significant diagnostic and treatment challenges. Since neurological symptoms often precede the cancer diagnosis, thorough diagnostics and prompt treatment are essential, as prognosis is time-sensitive. Multidisciplinary care is crucial, and further research is necessary to improve understanding and management of these syndromes.
SN - 0932-0067
SN - 1432-0711
ER -