Although there are a few basic symptoms of cancer, different symptoms can be seen depending on where it occurs. Recognizing these symptoms early is an important part of the treatment of cancer. In some cases, the tumor can cause minor changes in gait that can be noticed.
WARNING FOR THREE TYPES OF CANCER
According to the Mayo Clinic, para-neoplastic syndromes are “rare degenerative disorders triggered by the immune system’s response to a cancerous tumor (neoplasm), most commonly caused by lung, ovarian, or breast cancer or lymphoma.”
ATTENTION TO INITIAL SYMPTOMS
These conditions promote a range of neurological symptoms that are indirectly triggered by an underlying disease. When cancer produces neurological symptoms, it is usually the result of direct tumor invasion of the nervous system or metastases. Para-neoplastic cerebellar ataxia is one of the syndromes that initially presents with mild symptoms such as unsteady gait, double vision and difficulty in fine hand movements.
SEEN YEARS BEFORE DIAGNOSED
The Mayo Clinic adds: “Ataxia can occur months or years before the cancer is diagnosed.” The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke confirms that symptoms are often discovered before a tumor or cancer-filled growth is found. In 60 percent of cases, the syndrome occurs due to problems such as sleep disorders, vision problems and dizziness. Poor muscle control can also cause clumsy voluntary movements followed by difficulty walking and balance.
DAMAGES TO EYE MOVEMENTS AND SPEECH MAY BE DAMAGED
Often hand coordination, eye movements, and speech are also affected as a result of damage to the brain that controls muscle coordination. This can affect the way a person walks, producing an unsteady and staggering gait, commonly referred to as ataxic gait because it appears uncoordinated.
WHAT CAUSES PARA-NEOPLASTIC SYNDROMES?
The immune system is made up of cells, tissues, and organs that work in harmony to keep the body healthy and fight infections. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “scientists think para-neoplastic syndromes occur when cancer-fighting antibodies or white blood cells (known as T cells) mistakenly attack normal cells in the nervous system.”
Some cancers trigger this reaction more often because they produce hormones and other signaling molecules. What’s more, the damage this misdirected autoimmune response can do to the nervous system may be far greater than the damage done by the cancer itself. In 2019, researchers discovered that the most common type of cancer that triggers the syndrome is lung cancer, followed by breast cancer and lymphoma.