eMedicine Specialties > Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation > Plexopathy

Neoplastic Brachial Plexopathy: Follow-up

Author: Mark A Wren, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Texarkana
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 26, 2007

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

  • Further inpatient care is needed if more invasive procedures are performed or if medical complications need to be monitored during radiation or chemotherapy.

Further Outpatient Care

  • Routine follow-up care is necessary for monitoring the patient's condition and titrating medications.

Complications

  • Potential complications of NBP include rapid progression of symptoms with disabling pain, edema, muscle contractures, or bony deformities. Most patients with secondary neoplasms succumb to metastatic involvement of vital organs within a few years.

Prognosis

  • Most patients with benign primary neoplasms have a good prognosis, while patients with malignant primary neoplasms have a less favorable prognosis, regardless of therapy performed. For secondary neoplasms, most patients succumb to death within a few years from metastases to vital organs. On the other hand, preservation of some function and provision of adequate analgesia may be realistic goals for many patients.

Patient Education

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Accuracy and promptness of the diagnosis of NBP facilitate patient care and reduce the risk of litigation.
 


More on Neoplastic Brachial Plexopathy

Overview: Neoplastic Brachial Plexopathy
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Neoplastic Brachial Plexopathy
Treatment & Medication: Neoplastic Brachial Plexopathy
Follow-up: Neoplastic Brachial Plexopathy
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

brachial plexus tumors, neoplasms of the brachial plexus, metastatic brachial plexopathy, neoplastic brachial palsy

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Mark A Wren, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Texarkana
Mark A Wren, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: none None None

Medical Editor

Robert J Kaplan, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Kansas School of Medicine and Medical Center
Robert J Kaplan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Association of Academic Physiatrists, International Spine Intervention Society, and Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Michael T Andary, MD, MS, Residency Program Director, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Michael T Andary, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, and Association of Academic Physiatrists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Kelly L Allen, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Lourdes Regional Rehabilitation Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Robert H Meier III, MD, Director, Amputee Services of America, Presbyterian St Luke's Hospital; Consulting Staff, North Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, Kindred Hospital, and North Suburban Hospital
Robert H Meier III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Association of Academic Physiatrists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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