Potential effect of intravenous immunoglobulin against paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration in progressive ovarian cancer

Takashi Shibata; Tetsuya Oishi; Yasunori Fukuoka; Shigeki Nishikawa; Noriaki Iizuka; Hiroki Kato

doi:10.1016/j.gore.2020.100649

Potential effect of intravenous immunoglobulin against paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration in progressive ovarian cancer

Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2020 Sep 17:34:100649. doi: 10.1016/j.gore.2020.100649. eCollection 2020 Nov.

Authors

Takashi Shibata¹, Tetsuya Oishi¹, Yasunori Fukuoka¹, Shigeki Nishikawa¹, Noriaki Iizuka¹, Hiroki Kato¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Takatsuki General Hospital, 1-3-13 Kosobe-Cho Takatsuki, Osaka 569-1192, Japan.

Abstract

We report the effect of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) against paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) in a case of progressive ovarian cancer. Our patient developed PCD soon after postoperative chemotherapy and became bedridden. After undergoing IVIG, however, symptoms dramatically improved, and unexpectedly the remaining tumors were confirmed to have completely disappeared. When PCD is diagnosed, IVIG treatment should be attempted to reduce neuropathy regardless of its degree and the state of the cancer. It may also have further potential benefits that should be considered.

Keywords: Immunoglobulin; Ovarian neoplasms; Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration; Paraneoplastic syndromes.

Publication types

Case Reports