Gastrointestinal paraneoplastic syndrome refers to a group of symptom complexes associated with certain malignant tumors of the digestive system.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

1. Protein-losing gastroenteropathy

is commonly seen in stomach cancer and intestinal cancer. The necrosis and shedding of cancerous tissue increase the permeability of the corresponding gastrointestinal mucosa, leading to massive loss of plasma proteins through the gastrointestinal fistula disease. The compression and obstruction of lymphatic vessels by the tumor cause impaired lymphatic drainage, lymphatic stasis, and rupture, resulting in significant protein loss. Clinically, it manifests primarily as hypoalbuminemia and edema.

2. Small intestine villous atrophy

can be observed in intestinal cancer and rectal cancer, mainly presenting as diarrhea.

3. Diarrhea, dehydration, and shock

are primarily seen in colonic villous adenomas and occasionally in tumors of the APUD system of the digestive tract, such as VIPomas, gastrinomas, and pancreatic polypeptide tumors. These manifest as secretory diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and even shock.

bubble_chart Diagnosis

Protein-losing gastroenteropathy can be diagnosed through radionuclide-labeled macromolecular substance digestive tract excretion tests or α₁-antitrypsin detection.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

The primary treatment involves the surgical removal of the original tumor. Additionally, somatostatin analogs such as octreotide can be used, which are effective in controlling diarrhea.

bubble_chart Differentiation

It should be differentiated from protein loss caused by other causes or pathways.