Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Gallbladder Cancer: A Systematic Review

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a biologically aggressive malignancy characterised by poor survival outcomes often attributed to delayed diagnosis due to nonspecific clinical presentations. Paraneoplastic syndromes (PNSs), atypical symptoms caused by cancer...

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Main Authors: Beth Shin Rei Lau, Nevin Yi Meng Chua, Wee Teck Ong, Harjeet Singh, Vor Luvira, Kyoichi Takaori, Vishal G. Shelat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Medicina
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/3/417
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author Beth Shin Rei Lau
Nevin Yi Meng Chua
Wee Teck Ong
Harjeet Singh
Vor Luvira
Kyoichi Takaori
Vishal G. Shelat
author_facet Beth Shin Rei Lau
Nevin Yi Meng Chua
Wee Teck Ong
Harjeet Singh
Vor Luvira
Kyoichi Takaori
Vishal G. Shelat
author_sort Beth Shin Rei Lau
collection DOAJ
description <i>Background and Objectives</i>: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a biologically aggressive malignancy characterised by poor survival outcomes often attributed to delayed diagnosis due to nonspecific clinical presentations. Paraneoplastic syndromes (PNSs), atypical symptoms caused by cancer itself, may serve as valuable indicators for timely diagnosis, particularly in malignancies with nonspecific features. Understanding the manifestations of PNSs in GBC is, therefore, critical. This systematic review collates case studies documenting the association of PNS with GBC, including subsequent management and clinical outcomes. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases yielded 49 relevant articles. Upon searching other information sources, two more relevant articles were identified via citation sources. <i>Results:</i> The paraneoplastic syndromes were classified according to haematological (leukocytosis), dermatological (inflammatory myositis like dermatomyositis and polymyositis, acanthosis nigricans, Sweet’s syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis), neurological, metabolic (hypercalcemia, hyponatremia), and others (chorea). The analysis included the age, sex, and country of origin of the patient, as well as the time of PNS diagnosis relative to GBC diagnosis. Furthermore, common presenting complaints, investigations, and effectiveness of treatment modalities using survival time were assessed. <i>Conclusions</i>: While PNS management can offer some benefits, oncologic outcomes of GBC are largely poor. The majority of PNS in GBC are reported in advanced stages, and, hence, PNS has a minimal role in early diagnosis. PNS management can improve a patient’s quality of life, and thus recognition and treatment are important considerations in the holistic management of GBC patients.
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spelling doaj-art-ad5967135e4e4520a6514e707d29e0d62025-08-20T03:43:22ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-02-0161341710.3390/medicina61030417Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Gallbladder Cancer: A Systematic ReviewBeth Shin Rei Lau0Nevin Yi Meng Chua1Wee Teck Ong2Harjeet Singh3Vor Luvira4Kyoichi Takaori5Vishal G. Shelat6Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, SingaporeLee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, SingaporeLee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, SingaporeDepartment of GI Surgery, HPB and Liver Transplant, PGIMER Chandigarh, Chandigarh 160012, IndiaDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandPancreatic Cancer Unit, Kyoto University Hospital Cancer Center, Kyoto 606-8507, JapanLee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a biologically aggressive malignancy characterised by poor survival outcomes often attributed to delayed diagnosis due to nonspecific clinical presentations. Paraneoplastic syndromes (PNSs), atypical symptoms caused by cancer itself, may serve as valuable indicators for timely diagnosis, particularly in malignancies with nonspecific features. Understanding the manifestations of PNSs in GBC is, therefore, critical. This systematic review collates case studies documenting the association of PNS with GBC, including subsequent management and clinical outcomes. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases yielded 49 relevant articles. Upon searching other information sources, two more relevant articles were identified via citation sources. <i>Results:</i> The paraneoplastic syndromes were classified according to haematological (leukocytosis), dermatological (inflammatory myositis like dermatomyositis and polymyositis, acanthosis nigricans, Sweet’s syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis), neurological, metabolic (hypercalcemia, hyponatremia), and others (chorea). The analysis included the age, sex, and country of origin of the patient, as well as the time of PNS diagnosis relative to GBC diagnosis. Furthermore, common presenting complaints, investigations, and effectiveness of treatment modalities using survival time were assessed. <i>Conclusions</i>: While PNS management can offer some benefits, oncologic outcomes of GBC are largely poor. The majority of PNS in GBC are reported in advanced stages, and, hence, PNS has a minimal role in early diagnosis. PNS management can improve a patient’s quality of life, and thus recognition and treatment are important considerations in the holistic management of GBC patients.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/3/417gallbladder cancerparaneoplastic syndromeleukocytosisdermatomyositispolymyositisacanthosis nigricans
spellingShingle Beth Shin Rei Lau
Nevin Yi Meng Chua
Wee Teck Ong
Harjeet Singh
Vor Luvira
Kyoichi Takaori
Vishal G. Shelat
Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Gallbladder Cancer: A Systematic Review
Medicina
gallbladder cancer
paraneoplastic syndrome
leukocytosis
dermatomyositis
polymyositis
acanthosis nigricans
title Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Gallbladder Cancer: A Systematic Review
title_full Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Gallbladder Cancer: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Gallbladder Cancer: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Gallbladder Cancer: A Systematic Review
title_short Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Gallbladder Cancer: A Systematic Review
title_sort paraneoplastic syndromes in gallbladder cancer a systematic review
topic gallbladder cancer
paraneoplastic syndrome
leukocytosis
dermatomyositis
polymyositis
acanthosis nigricans
url https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/3/417
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