A Neuropsychiatric Prelude to Unveiling Small Cell Lung Cancer with Suspected Paraneoplastic Limbic Encephalitis: A Case Report
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive form of lung cancer characterized by rapid growth and early metastases. As a neuroendocrine tumour, SCLC is especially notorious for various paraneoplastic syndromes, one of which is a rare neurological syndrome called paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Current Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/6/366 |
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| author | Jessa Letargo X. Melody Qu Timothy K. Nguyen Alexander V. Louie Sara Kuruvilla Enxhi Kotrri |
| author_facet | Jessa Letargo X. Melody Qu Timothy K. Nguyen Alexander V. Louie Sara Kuruvilla Enxhi Kotrri |
| author_sort | Jessa Letargo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive form of lung cancer characterized by rapid growth and early metastases. As a neuroendocrine tumour, SCLC is especially notorious for various paraneoplastic syndromes, one of which is a rare neurological syndrome called paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) that manifests with amnestic cognitive impairment and seizures. Here, we describe a case of a 53-year-old female who presented with neuropsychiatric symptoms of delusions, hallucinations, and cognitive impairment that started months prior to being diagnosed with extensive-stage SCLC. With no previous neuropsychiatric history, this raised the question of whether her presentation was related to PLE rather than a primary psychiatric condition, as initially diagnosed. Her symptoms improved with chemotherapy and radiation treatment of the underlying cancer, favouring a paraneoplastic etiology. Overall, this case underscores the importance of considering paraneoplastic syndromes in patients presenting with new neuropsychiatric symptoms, as early recognition and treatment can improve prognosis. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8aabdf8527264406bdb72a1f8a8e3dc9 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1198-0052 1718-7729 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Current Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-8aabdf8527264406bdb72a1f8a8e3dc92025-08-20T02:24:42ZengMDPI AGCurrent Oncology1198-00521718-77292025-06-0132636610.3390/curroncol32060366A Neuropsychiatric Prelude to Unveiling Small Cell Lung Cancer with Suspected Paraneoplastic Limbic Encephalitis: A Case ReportJessa Letargo0X. Melody Qu1Timothy K. Nguyen2Alexander V. Louie3Sara Kuruvilla4Enxhi Kotrri5Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, CanadaDivision of Radiation Oncology, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, CanadaDivision of Radiation Oncology, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, CanadaDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON N6A 5W9, CanadaDivision of Medical Oncology, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, CanadaDivision of Radiation Oncology, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, CanadaSmall cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive form of lung cancer characterized by rapid growth and early metastases. As a neuroendocrine tumour, SCLC is especially notorious for various paraneoplastic syndromes, one of which is a rare neurological syndrome called paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) that manifests with amnestic cognitive impairment and seizures. Here, we describe a case of a 53-year-old female who presented with neuropsychiatric symptoms of delusions, hallucinations, and cognitive impairment that started months prior to being diagnosed with extensive-stage SCLC. With no previous neuropsychiatric history, this raised the question of whether her presentation was related to PLE rather than a primary psychiatric condition, as initially diagnosed. Her symptoms improved with chemotherapy and radiation treatment of the underlying cancer, favouring a paraneoplastic etiology. Overall, this case underscores the importance of considering paraneoplastic syndromes in patients presenting with new neuropsychiatric symptoms, as early recognition and treatment can improve prognosis.https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/6/366small cell lung cancerparaneoplasticlimbic encephalitis |
| spellingShingle | Jessa Letargo X. Melody Qu Timothy K. Nguyen Alexander V. Louie Sara Kuruvilla Enxhi Kotrri A Neuropsychiatric Prelude to Unveiling Small Cell Lung Cancer with Suspected Paraneoplastic Limbic Encephalitis: A Case Report Current Oncology small cell lung cancer paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis |
| title | A Neuropsychiatric Prelude to Unveiling Small Cell Lung Cancer with Suspected Paraneoplastic Limbic Encephalitis: A Case Report |
| title_full | A Neuropsychiatric Prelude to Unveiling Small Cell Lung Cancer with Suspected Paraneoplastic Limbic Encephalitis: A Case Report |
| title_fullStr | A Neuropsychiatric Prelude to Unveiling Small Cell Lung Cancer with Suspected Paraneoplastic Limbic Encephalitis: A Case Report |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Neuropsychiatric Prelude to Unveiling Small Cell Lung Cancer with Suspected Paraneoplastic Limbic Encephalitis: A Case Report |
| title_short | A Neuropsychiatric Prelude to Unveiling Small Cell Lung Cancer with Suspected Paraneoplastic Limbic Encephalitis: A Case Report |
| title_sort | neuropsychiatric prelude to unveiling small cell lung cancer with suspected paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis a case report |
| topic | small cell lung cancer paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/6/366 |
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