Cancer’s Side Hustle: Identifying and Managing Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Practice

Recognizing paraneoplastic syndromes can help guide the diagnostic plan, identify an underlying cancer earlier, and provide important information about how a pet is responding to treatment or whether the cancer may have returned. When clinical signs or abnormal lab results do not seem fully explained by the primary condition, cancer-related hormonal or metabolic effects should stay on the list of possible causes.

• Recognize common paraneoplastic presentations
• Connect the most common syndromes and underlying disease processes
• Create a thorough differential list and diagnostic plan
• Gain confidence in navigating challenging case presentations