To characterize the neurological complications of
cancer patients admitted to a community hospital, the charts of all
cancer patients evaluated by a neurologist during a single year were reviewed. Nine percent (N = 93) of
cancer patients received neurological consultation compared to 3.6% of other patients. The neurologic problem preceded the diagnosis of
cancer in 11% of patients. Complications were most common with known
metastases. Neurologists frequently discovered signs not noted by the referring physician: 52 patients were paretic, with weakness reported in only 31; cranial nerve complaints were described in 3, but found in 20; sensory abnormalities were noted in 8, but found in 26. A change in mental status was confirmed in 33% and
ataxia in 10%. After consultation, distant
metastasis was diagnosed in 40% of patients, direct extension in 8%,
metabolic encephalopathy in 14% and remote effects of
cancer and side effects of
cancer therapy in 4% each. Other patients had unrelated diagnoses. In most cases, the neurologic consultation let to a change in treatment, with
radiotherapy directed to a symptomatic
tumor mass the most common beneficial outcome.