Introduction to Neoplastic Disease

The advanced imaging readily available at most medical centers allows easier identification of neoplastic disease of the nervous system. Despite earlier detection, nervous system neoplasms continue to be an important cause of neurologic morbidity and death. This chapter broadly reviews the clinical manifestations and general approach to diagnosis and management of nervous system tumors. Subsequent chapters review individual types of tumors, complications of therapy for tumors, and paraneoplastic diseases.

Paraneoplastic glomerular disease: The struggle is real

Over the past decade, the relationships between various kidney disease and cancer have been established, but not fully elucidated. Development of acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease as a side effect of cancer treatment is not uncommon. However, renal paraneoplastic diseases are rather unique and less known examples of the association between kidney disease and cancer. These conditions are of importance to the nephrologist as they may be the initial presentation of an underlying malignancy and may not respond to the usual therapies used for their non-paraneoplastic variants. This article will discuss the pathogenesis and challenges in management of paraneoplastic glomerular diseases.

Autoimmune and Paraneoplastic Myelopathies

Prompt recognition of an inflammatory myelopathy is critical, as a specific diagnosis and management plan allows for optimal patient outcomes. Many treatment options are now available for autoimmune and paraneoplastic myelopathies, but specific management strategies and expected prognosis vary widely depending on the underlying etiology. An understanding of the relevant clinical details, imaging findings, and other diagnostic information that can help achieve a specific myelopathy diagnosis and treatment plan is essential for all neurologists, given the variety of contexts in which myelopathies are encountered. We provide an outline of the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of various inflammatory myelopathies seen in autoimmune and paraneoplastic diseases, including multiple sclerosis, aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (IgG) seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, sarcoidosis, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein IgG associated disease, and other rare inflammatory myelopathies; we also highlight common mimickers of inflammatory myelopathies.