The term paraneoplastic syndrome refers to the conditions when tumor-related symptoms
are not caused by the size, invasion or metastasis of a tumor, but due to soluble
mediators produced or an immune reaction induced by a tumor. Paraneoplastic syndromes
occur in about 8% of all malignant tumors. Hormone-related paraneoplastic syndromes
are termed paraneoplastic endocrine syndromes. In this short synopsis, the main clinical
and laboratory characteristics of the most important paraneoplastic endocrine syndromes
are presented including humoral hypercalcemia, the syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion,
ectopic ACTH syndrome. Two very rare diseases, paraneoplastic hypoglycemia and tumor-induced
osteomalatia are also briefly presented.
