It is said that as many as 50,000 people in the united states have paraneoplastic syndrome. It is a side effect from having cancer, which is why it is so popular.

the immune system produces immune cells in response to the presence of early cancer cells which cross-react with the calcium channels on nerve cells

About half of all cases are associated with a cancerous tumor; this kind of symptom that occurs due to cancer is termed a paraneoplastic syndrome.

After successful parathyroid removal my weight dropped by 3%... but that may be attributed to my energy increase resulting in better exercise tolerance... Removal of the gland has improved my life.

Samir K. Bhattacharya has written:

'Paraneoplastic syndromes, resulting from elaboration of ectopic hormones, antigens, and bizarre toxins' -- subject(s): Paraneoplastic syndromes