Serous adenocarcinoma of the uterus presenting as paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration is a rare complication of cancer and is most frequently associated with lung, ovary, and breast cancers as well as Hodgkins lymphoma. A 74-year-old female with a past history of breast cancer presented with vomiting, ataxia, slurred speech, and dizziness. Her serum chemistry, thyroid and liver function tests, acetylcholine antibodies, serum cortisol, CT, and MRI imaging were all normal. Serum testing for anti-YO antibodies was positive, Further evaluation including CT of the abdomen and pelvis revealed endometrial thickening. Subsequently, an endometrial biopsy showed a poorly differentiated serous adenocarcinoma. Surgical staging was consistent with a stage IIIc serous adenocarcinoma of the uterus. The risk factors, symptoms, signs, differential diagnosis, and clinical and antibody associations of the paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration syndrome are reviewed. In addition, an efficient approach to the diagnostic evaluation of such patients is proposed. (C) 1999 Academic Press.