Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia as a Paraneoplastic Syndrome

Paraneoplastic autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a rare syndrome. It has been mostly recognized in association with lymphoproliferative disorders and to a much lesser extent in association with solid organ tumors. It has been reported in cases of breast, ovarian, prostate, thymic and renal cancer. The onset and severity is variable. Although it is rare, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of anemia in patients with malignancy. Keeping high suspicion index is key to diagnosis. It resolves with tumor eradication or excision. Recurrence of hemolysis after a period of cancer remission could point towards relapse.