Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration from Subclinical Breast Cancer on Mammography

Abstract

Figures

A](#fig1)). The anti-Yo antibody was present in the cerebrospinal fluid. Left breast cancer was subclinical on mammography ([Figure 1B](#fig1)); however, it was detected via dedicated breast positron emission tomography (dbPET) ([Figure 1C](#fig1)). She underwent a mastectomy and was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma with an invasive diameter of 3 mm. The intensity of cerebellar hypermetabolism decreased on brain SPECT a week post-surgery ([Figure 1D](#fig1)). She remained symptomatic without further progression. Patients with PCD symptoms and specific antibodies require appropriate dia

Full text

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a rare presentation of tumor immune-mediated cerebellar ataxias ^(1), (2), (3)^. PCD often occurs with breast and gynecologic cancer (anti-Yo and anti-Ri antibodies), small cell lung cancer (anti-Hu and anti-CV2/ collapsin response-mediator protein 5 [CRMP5]), and Hodgkin’s lymphoma (anti-Tr antibodies) ^(4)^. A 45-year-old female with PCD developed worsening gait impairment and increased cerebellar perfusion on brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) (Figure 1A). The anti-Yo antibody was present in the cerebrospinal fluid. Left breast cancer was subclinical on mammography (Figure 1B); however, it was detected via dedicated breast positron emission tomography (dbPET) (Figure 1C). She underwent a mastectomy and was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma with an invasive diameter of 3 mm. The intensity of cerebellar hypermetabolism decreased on brain SPECT a week post-surgery (Figure 1D). She remained symptomatic without further progression. Patients with PCD symptoms and specific antibodies require appropriate diagnostic evaluation to identify the underlying cause.

Article Information

Author Contributions

All the authors cared for the patient. Shinsuke Sasada drafted the manuscript, and Ayumi Kawamata approved the final version of the manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest

None

Approval by Institutional Review Board (IRB)

IRB approval was not required for this study.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from the patient.