Rehabilitation for a patient with anti-Yo antibody-positive paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration caused by breast cancer: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE: Rehabilitation for paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) has been indicated as necessary. However, there are only a few reports on rehabilitation in PCD. We describe the course of physical and cognitive functions and activities of daily living (ADL) in a patient with PCD and examine the effect of rehabilitation, along with a review of relevant literature. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 42-year-old woman experienced rapid deterioration in cerebellar symptoms and was unable to walk. The cerebellar symptoms improved after mastectomy, which was performed 3 months after the onset of symptoms. However, the cerebellar symptoms exacerbated 11 months after the onset of symptoms. She underwent immunotherapy because the level of anti-Yo antibodies was high, and anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies were detected. DIAGNOSES: She was diagnosed with anti-Yo antibody-positive PCD caused by breast cancer. INTERVENTIONS: Rehabilitation was performed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at 1 year after the onset of symptoms. OUTCOMES: Her physical function and ADL improved after the surgery and at 1 year after the onset of symptoms. Finally, she regained the ability to walk between parallel bars supported with one hand and a walking frame. LESSONS: Given the results of this case and the relevant literature, it appears that rehabilitation improves physical function and ADL after oncotherapy. Particularly, initiating treatment within three months of onset of symptoms may enable patients to walk without assistance.