PND (medical condition)

A term used to describe the distant neurological effects of cancer. It results from an autoimmune attack against antigens present in cancer and the nervous system. Peripheral nerves, central nervous system and muscle controlling nerves may be affected. Often the effects become obvious before the cancer is detected. Types of PNS include Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, subacute cerebellar ataxia, opsoclonus-myoclonus, retinopathies, limbic encephalitis, chronic gastrointestinal pseudoobstruction, sensory neuronopathy, encephalomyelitis, dermatomyositis, Stiff-Person syndrome and melanoma-associated retinopathy. See also Paraneoplastic Neurologic Disorders