Paraneoplastic syndromes in ganglioneuroblastoma: contrasting symptoms of constipation and diarrhoea

A paraneoplastic syndrome is occasionally the first clinical symptom seen with tumours. We report on two children who initially presented with paraneoplastic syndromes due to ganglioneuroblastomas: the first with severe watery diarrhoea caused by a ganglioneuroma producing vasoactive intestinal peptide, the second with non-treatable constipation, caused by ganglioneuroma-produced anti-neuronal nuclear antibodies. Conclusion : Either severe diarrhoea or chronic constipation may represent rare paraneoplastic syndromes in ganglioneuroblastomas.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47533/1/431_2003_Article_1212.pd