Paraneoplastic subacute cerebellar degeneration: functional improvement and the role of rehabilitation

Abstract

Paraneoplastic syndromes, or the remote effects of cancer on the nervous system, can result in significant functional impairment. One syndrome in particular, paraneoplastic subacute cerebellar degeneration (PSCD), may be severely disabling. Patients with PSCD can experience severe ataxia resulting in an inability to ambulate or perform their activities of daily living. Little has been written about the value of rehabilitation in cases of paraneoplastic syndrome. We report the case of a 51-year-old woman with PSCD who experienced improvements in all functional activities after comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation. She has maintained her improved functional status after discharge; her case is testimony to the value of rehabilitation in paraneoplastic syndrome.