Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, diagnosed as a paraneoplastic manifestation of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix

Authors

  • Bikramjit Chakrabarti Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research
  • Somnath Roy Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research
  • Chandrani Mallik Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research
  • Kiran Shankar Bhattacharya Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research
  • Sandipan Mukherjee Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research

Keywords:

paraneoplastic syndrome, small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma cervix

Abstract

Paraneoplastic syndrome frequently presents before cancer is diagnosed and can be associated with neoplastic disease that is not yet radiographically detectable. We report on the case of a 35-year-old woman who presented at the neurology department with complaints of insidious onset and gradually progressive weakness in all four limbs, which had lasted for the past six months. The weakness originally commenced in both lower limbs and was progressive, ascending in nature from distal to proximal. Both upper limbs were affected seven days later. Magnetic resonance imaging of the dorsal spine revealed long-segment T2 and short T1 inversion recovery (STIR) hyperintensity, suggestive of myelitis. Nerve conduction studies and an electromyogram suggested sensory motor polyneuropathy which affected all four limbs. On gynaecological check-up, a diagnosis of International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIB carcinoma cervix was made. Histology diagnosed it as a case of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Thus, a diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, arising as a paraneoplastic syndrome in the carcinoma cervix, was made. The patient was treated with chemotherapy, steroids and radical radiotherapy. She recovered partially from her motor deficiencies and completely from her sensory derangement, and was devoid of gynaecological complaints. The cancer growth regressed completely.

Author Biographies

  • Bikramjit Chakrabarti, Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research
    MBBS, MD, DNB Assistant Professor Department of Radiotherapy Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research Kolkata India
  • Somnath Roy, Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research
    MBBS, DMRT Senior Resident Department of Radiotherapy Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research Kolkata India
  • Chandrani Mallik, Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research
    MBBS, MD Resident Medical Officer and Clinical Tutor Department of Radiotherapy Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research Kolkata India
  • Kiran Shankar Bhattacharya, Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research
    MBBS, MD Assistant Professor Department of Radiotherapy Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research Kolkata India
  • Sandipan Mukherjee, Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research
    MBBS Junior Resident Department of Radiotherapy Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research Kolkata India

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Published

2013-04-10

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2013)

Section

Case Studies

License

South African Journal of Gynaecological Oncology (SAJGO) Copyright is held by South African Society of Gynaecologic Oncology (SASGO). Copyright of the articles is held by the authors. The work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial Works 4.0 South Africa License (CC BY NC). Material submitted for publication in the SAJGO is accepted provided it has not been published elsewhere. The SAJGO does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do no purport to reflect the opinions or views of SASGO or its members.