| Associated
Conditions: MAIN MENU |
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| Cancer
and Scleroderma |
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| Overview of Cancer
and Scleroderma |
| Systemic
sclerosis (scleroderma) may be associated with an increased
incidence of cancer, including breast
cancer, B-cell
lymphoma, lung
cancer and tongue
cancer. |
| Just because someone has cancer
does not mean that they also have scleroderma, nor does it
mean that someone with scleroderma will inevitably acquire
cancer. Scleroderma affects everyone differently and there
is no predictable course of the illness, either in its severity,
progression or outcome. However, there is an increased risk
of cancer in those who have systemic scleroderma, as documented
in the research articles below. (Also see: Types
of Scleroderma, Associated
Conditions, and Causes
of Scleroderma) |
| Systemic sclerosis and malignancy: a review of the literature. Malignancy is associated with systemic sclerosis in between 3.6 and 10.7% of patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis. (PubMed) South Med J. 2008 Jan; 101(1):59-62. |
| Toxicity of radiotherapy(RT) in patients with collagen vascular disease(CVD). Although generally well tolerated, RT in the setting of CVD appears to carry a higher risk of late toxicity. (Wiley Interscience) Cancer, 27 May 2008 (Also see: Medical Tests (Imaging)) |
| Radiotherapy
for malignancy in patients with scleroderma: The Mayo Clinic experience. The results suggest that although some patients with scleroderma treated
with radiation experience considerable toxic effects, the occurrence of
Grade 3 or higher toxicity may be less than previously anticipated. PubMed.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2007 Feb 1;67(2):559-67. |
| Pseudoscleroderma
associated with cancer. In 71 patients with sclerotic
skin changes; 66 were diagnosed with systemic sclerosis (SSc),
five were diagnosed with pseudoscleroderma associated with
various malignancies. The mean duration of disease in the
five patients was significantly shorter than that of the
SSc patients. PubMed. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2006 May;31(3):381-3.
(Also see: Diseases
Similar to Scleroderma) |
| Clinical
Trials at The St. Mary Regional Cancer Center. The
St. Mary Regional Cancer Center offers clinical trials
for cancers including breast cancer, lymphoma, non-small
cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, sarcoma, gastrointestinal,
gynecological cancer, leukemia, and small-cell lung cancer.
A trial also is being conducted for treatment of depression
in cancer patients. Posted 05/20/06. |
| A
Cohort Study of Cancer Incidence in Systemic Sclerosis. We
identified an overall increase in the incidence of cancer
in a cohort of patients with SSc compared to the general
population, with statistically significant differences in
the incidence of esophageal and oropharyngeal cancers. PubMed.
J Rheumatol. 2006 Apr 15. |
| The
Effect of Nonmalignant Systemic Disease on Tolerance to Radiation
Therapy. Collagen vascular disease and inflammatory bowel
disease are considered relative contraindications for radiotherapy.
Common diseases, like diabetes mellitus and hypertension,
also represent management quandaries inasmuch as some reports
also implicate these prevalent diseases with reduced tolerance
to radiotherapy. Although the literature is sparse and retrospective
in nature, the association of these diseases with radiation
tolerance should no longer be regarded as anecdotal. The
Oncologist, Vol. 7, No. 2, 136-143, April 2002. (Also see: Scleroderma
and Radiation) |
| Malignancy
and autoimmunity. There have been several papers published
related to cancer in the rheumatic diseases. Continuing interest
in the association between autoimmune rheumatic diseases
and malignancy is likely, given the potential impact in terms
of understanding both rheumatic diseases and cancer. PubMed.
Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2006 Mar;18(2):129-34. |
| The
association of systemic sclerosis with malignant neoplasms. Decreased
DLco (pulmonary CO diffusing capacity) appeared to be a risk
factor for the concomitant malignant neoplasms among patients
with systemic sclerosis (odds ratio 2.00 for DLco < or
= 70%, CI 1.06-3.74, P=0.032). These results may help to
elucidate the etiology of systemic sclerosis. PubMed.
Nihon Rinsho Meneki Gakkai Kaishi. 2004 Dec;27(6):402-6. |
| Genomic
instability in scleroderma. Evidence of acquired genetic
damage in this disorder may be important in explaining both
the etio-pathogenesis of scleroderma and the association
of scleroderma with cancer. PubMed. Asian Pac J Allergy
Immunol. 2004 Jun-Sep;22(2-3):153-8. (Also see: Causes
of Scleroderma: Genetics) |
| Simultaneous
Occurrence of Malignancies and Connective Tissue Diseases. At
the onset of an autoimmune disease, especially if the patient
is older than 50 years it is worth screening for the presence
of malignant tumors in the background. C. Varjú.
FRI0324 EULAR 2004. (Also see: Dr.
László Czirják) |
| Cutaneous
manifestations of the malignant carcinoid syndrome. Flushing
was generally an early manifestation of the syndrome, whereas
both the pellagra and scleroderma tended to occur in more
advanced disease. PubMed. Br J Dermatol. 2005 Jan;152(1):71-5. |
| Fatal
exacerbation of paraneoplastic systemic sclerosis after neoadjuvant
chemotherapy in a breast cancer patient. Paraneoplastic
systemic sclerosis (SSc) occurs in about 3%-7% of individuals
with SSc. There are reports of accelerated SSc syndromes
associated in particular with breast cancer. Further exacerbations
of the rheumatic condition may be induced by treatment of
the cancer. PubMed. Clin Rheumatol. 2004 Jun;23(3):269-71.
2004 Apr 14. |
| Digital
Necrosis Related to Carboplatin and Gemcitabine Therapy in
Systemic Sclerosis. We present a woman with scleroderma
who developed multiple ischemic digits after chemotherapy
for lung cancer. Scleroderma patients are at particular risk
for digital infarction because of their underlying vascular
disease and associated Raynaud's phenomenon. J Rheumatol
NO. 6 JUNE 2003;30:1341-3 (Also see: Digital
Ulcers and Raynaud's) |
| Angiosarcoma and Scleroderma |
| Angiosarcoma: A
type of cancer that begins in the lining of blood vessels.
This type of tumor tends to be aggressive, recur locally, and
spread widely. It can originate anywhere in the body but is
well known to arise in skin, soft tissue, liver, breast, spleen,
bone, lung and heart. MedicineNet.com. |
| Angiosarcoma
arising in sclerodermatous skin. Despite a notable cutaneous
improvement, the control check-up revealed the presence of
metastases of the lung and liver. This is the first report
of cutaneous angiosarcoma occuring in sclerodermatous skin. PubMed.
Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Panonica Adriat. 2005 Mar;14(1):20-5. |
| Autoantibodies and
Cancer with Systemic Sclerosis |
| Autoantibodies
in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and Cancer: A Case-Control
Study. In contrast to previous studies, in our case-control
study we were not able to detect a significant difference
in autoantibody frequency or patterns among SSc patients
with and without a diagnosis of cancer. These results refute
the conclusion made previously that certain autoantibodies
may represent risk factors for the development of cancer
in patients with SSc. J Rheumatol. Vol 30: NO. 9 Sept
2003;30:1994-6 (Also see: Antibodies) |
| B-Cell Lymphoma |
| Hepatitis
C virus, Sjogren's syndrome and B-cell lymphoma: linking
infection, autoimmunity and cancer. Viruses have been
proposed as possible etiologic or triggering agents of systemic
autoimmune diseases (SADs), with hepatitis C virus (HCV)
being one of the viruses most frequently associated with
autoimmune features and with systemic autoimmune diseases
such as mixed cryoglobulinemia or Sjogren's Syndrome. PubMed. Autoimmun Rev. 2005 Jan;4(1):8-15. (Also
see: Liver
Involvement, Sjogren's
Syndrome, and Causes
of Scleroderma: Infection) |
| Mucosa-associated
lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT) of salivary glands and scleroderma:
a case report. The connection between scleroderma and
lymphoma is uncommon and its pathogenic relationship is a
much debated subject. Independently of the pathogenic mechanism
of these two diseases, it seems very important to emphasize
that scleroderma may be the first manifestation of lymphoma. PubMed.
Clin Rheumatol. 2004 Aug;23(4):348-50. |
| Triple
association between hepatitis C virus infection, systemic
autoimmune diseases, and B cell lymphoma. We describe
6 patients with a triple association of HCV infection, systemic
autoimmune disease, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). This
triple association reinforces the suspected links between
autoimmunity, infection, and cancer. PubMed. J Rheumatol.
2004 Mar;31(3):495-9. (Also see: Liver
Involvement) |
| Primary
B-cell lymphoma of the tongue in a patient with systemic
sclerosis. A careful review of the English medical literature
disclosed that B-cell lymphoma of the tongue in a patient
with systemic sclerosis is an association which has not been
described previously. PubMed. Oral Oncol. 2004 Jan;40(1):103-6. |
| Breast Cancer |
| Breast cancer and systemic sclerosis: a clinical description of 21 patients in a population-based cohort study. This population-based cohort study provides evidence that the majority of patients with scleroderma and breast cancer have limited scleroderma and anti-centromere antibody. They also were found to have a higher incidence of a positive family history of breast cancer. (PubMed) Rheumatol Int. 2008 Feb 16. |
| Associations
of breast cancer development in patients with systemic sclerosis: an exploratory
study. An older age at diagnosis of systemic sclerosis, a lack of
ANA positivity, and the presence of pulmonary fibrosis were more commonly
seen in patients with systemic sclerosis who have a diagnosis of breast
cancer. PubMed. Clin Rheumatol. 2007 Feb 2. (Also see:Pulmonary Fibrosis) |
| Taxane-induced
scleroderma. We report five women who presented with
scleroderma due to taxanes, mimicking systemic sclerosis.
All five patients had received taxane chemotherapy for the
treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Although the mechanisms
have not been clarified, it should be noted that taxane is
causally involved in the formation of scleroderma-like skin
conditions. PubMed
Br J Dermatol. 2007 Feb;156(2):363-7. (Also see: Causes
of Scleroderma: Drugs and Medications and Diseases
Similar to Scleroderma) |
| Risk
Factors for Breast Cancer in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. This
study suggests that age of SSc diagnosis, lack of ANA positivity
and pulmonary fibrosis are risk factors for the development
of breast cancer in patients with SSc. C. T. Derk. FRI0342
EULAR 2006. |
| Postirradiation
morphea in a breast cancer patient. It is important to
be aware of this rare complication of radiation therapy because
it clinically presents with symptoms mimicking malignancy
and may be misinterpreted as recurrent carcinoma or even
angiosarcoma. PubMed. Breast J. 2006 Mar-Apr;12(2):173-6.
(Also see: Morphea) |
| Breast
cancer and scleroderma. In this group, while a higher
frequency of systemic scleroderma was described, a higher
rate of cutaneous scleroderma appeared where scleroderma
followed breast cancer diagnosis. Large-scale case-control
studies are needed to substantiate the possible association
between scleroderma-both cutaneous and systemic-and breast
cancer. PubMed. Skinmed. 2006 Jan-Feb;5(1):18-24. |
| Association
between systemic sclerosis and breast cancer: eight new cases
and review of the literature. SSc is probably not a paraneoplastic
disease since the anticancer treatment has no influence on
the evolution of SSc. However, it can be suggested that SSc
could be a disease facilitating breast cancer and/or metastases
development. PubMed. Clin Rheumatol. 2004 Dec;23(6):516-22. |
| Bilateral
breast cancer associated with diffuse scleroderma. There
is a strong evidence to suggest the association between breast
cancer and diffuse scleroderma, though it is an infrequent
occurrence. PubMed. Breast. 2003 Jun;12(3):217-9. |
| Chemotherapy-induced
scleroderma: a pleiomorphic syndrome. We present the
first case of diffuse scleroderma occurring in a woman treated
with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide for breast cancer.
The clinical pattern of skin involvement and histological
alterations were identical to those found in the classical
form of scleroderma. PubMed. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2005 Mar;30(2):141-5.
(Also see: Diseases
Similar to Scleroderma) |
| Diane
M: MCTD, and Surviving Sister of Scleroderma Patient I
do not know what lies ahead for me on this path, I only hope
that I can be as strong as my sister was... |
| Liver Cancer |
| Risk
of malignancy in scleroderma: A population-based cohort study. Contrary
to previous studies, this study did not find statistical
evidence of an increased incidence of cancer in scleroderma
patients, except for liver cancer. One possible reason
is the high background rates of certain cancers in the metropolitan
Detroit area. It may be necessary to consider local cancer
rates when comparing different scleroderma cohorts. PubMed.
Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Jul 28;52(8):2415-2424. (Also see: Liver
Involvement) |
| Lung Cancer |
| Risk
factors for lung cancer in patients with scleroderma: A nested
case-control study. Patients with scleroderma who smoke
are 7 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-
smokers. PubMed. Ann Rheum Dis. 2006 Sep 19. (Also see: Pulmonary
Involvement: Preventive Care) |
| Risk
Factors for Lung Cancer in Patients with Scleroderma: A Nested
Case-Control Study. This study suggests that presence
of pulmonary fibrosis and subtype of scleroderma were not
risk factors for lung cancer in patients with scleroderma. Eliza
K. Pontifex. 350/350. ACR 2005. |
| Does
interstitial lung disease predispose to lung cancer? Idiopathic
pulmonary fibrosis, systemic sclerosis, and certain pneumoconioses
are associated with an independent increased risk of lung
cancer; however, a unifying pathogenetic mechanism to explain
the causality of this association has not been described. PubMed.
Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2005 Sep;11(5):431-7. (Also see: Pulmonary
Fibrosis) |
| Small
cell lung cancer associated with systemic sclerosis. A
51-year-old woman developed small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
She was a non-smoker and had interstitial pneumonia associated
with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Since SCLC is very rare in
non-smokers, these findings suggest a positive association
between SCLC and interstitial pneumonia associated with SSc. PubMed.
Intern Med. 2005 Apr;44(4):315-8. (Also see: Autoimmune
Interstitial Pneumonia) |
| Cancer
and interstitial lung disease. Interstitial lung diseases
for which the available evidence suggests an increased risk
of lung cancer include idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, systemic
sclerosis, and certain forms of pneumoconioses. PubMed.
Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2004 Sep;10(5):425-434. (Also see: Pulmonary
Fibrosis) |
| Malignant Atrophic
Papulosis (MAP) or Degos Syndrome |
| Lesions
resembling malignant atrophic papulosis in a patient with
progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Malignant
atrophic papulosis (MAP), or Degos syndrome, is a rare disorder
of unknown etiology. It is characterized by a deep subcutaneous
vasculopathy resulting in atrophic, porcelain-white papules. PubMed.
Cutis. 2005 Feb;75(2):101-4. (Also see: Types
of Scleroderma) |
| MALT Lymphoma |
| Systemic
sclerosis and gastric MALT lymphoma. MALT (mucosa-associated
lymphoid tissue) lymphomas are usually confined to the gastric
wall. Gastric MALT lymphomas have a well-established association
with H. pylori infection. Eradication of H. pylori is the
mainstay of treatment. PubMed. Joint Bone Spine. 2005
Jun 30. (Also see: Gastrointestinal
Involvement) |
| Medications and Cancer |
| Intravenous cyclophosphamide in patients with chronic systemic inflammatory diseases: morbidity and mortality. The standard incidence ratio of cancer following iv CYC was increased, although not statistically significantly. No urinary bladder cancer or haemorrhagic cystitis developed even though mesna prophylaxis was not given. (Informa) Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, Vol 37, Iss 2 2008 , pp 130 - 134. (Also see: Immunosuppressants) |
| Study
examines NSAID use and breast cancer risk. Ibuprofen
use is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer,
and long-term daily use of aspirin is associated with an
increased risk of estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor
(ER/PR)-negative breast cancer, according to a new study
in the June 1 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer
Institute. EurekAlert! 05/30/05. (Also see: Medications) |
| Melanoma |
| Jo-1
positive paraneoplastic systemic sclerosis in a patient with
metastatic melanoma. This rare case of SSc concurrent
with melanoma suggests that besides other possible mechanisms,
paraneoplastic etiology can be responsible for the association
between SSc and cancer. PubMed. Eur J Dermatol. 2006 Jul-Aug;16(4):428-30. |
| Myeloma (Bone Marrow
Cancer) |
| Scleroderma
and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): a sheer coincidence,
a consequence of long lasting D: -penicillamine therapy or
a plausible relationship of both diseases? CML with systemic
sclerosis has only rarely been reported. We report a case
with CREST (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal
dysfunction, sclerodactly, telangiectasia) who developed
CML 7 years after the onset of CREST. PubMed. Rheumatol
Int. 2006 Jul 27. |
| Multiple
myeloma with scleroderma-like changes. We present a case
of a patient who presented concomitantly with generalized
pruritus, brownish sclerodermatous plaques, sclerodactyly
and a monoclonal band for IgG-kappa. The patient was diagnosed
as having multiple myeloma by bone marrow examination. PubMed.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2005 Jul;19(4):500-2. (Also
see: Diseases
Similar to Scleroderma) |
| Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma |
| Malignancy
and Rheumatic Disease — A Real Association? More recently,
a weak but definite link has been reported between systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. J
Rheumatol. 2005 October;32:1866. Editorial. |
| Autoimmune
Disease Is a Risk Factor for the Development of Non-Hodgkin's
Lymphoma. Autoimmune disease may account in part for
the increase in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL), especially
in women. J Rheumatol. 2005 October;32:1884-7. |
| Bilateral
primary orbital non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a patient with
scleroderma: A case report. Orbital presentation of non-Hodgkin's
Lymphoma (NHL) is uncommon but occurs both as the only site
of disease and as a site of recurrence. The onset of malignant
lymphoproliferation may precede, follow, or exist simultaneously
with scleroderma. PubMed. Leuk Lymphoma. 2005 Aug;46(8):1239-1242. |
| T Cell Lymphoma |
| Angioimmunoblastic
T cell lymphoma with an unusual proliferation of epstein-barr
virus-associated large B cells arising in a patient with
progressive systemic sclerosis. The cause was suggested
to be closely associated with immunosuppressive treatment
for progressive systemic sclerosis. PubMed. Acta Haematol.
2005;114(2):108-12. (Also see: Causes
of Scleroderma: Medications) |
| Tongue Cancer |
| Increased
incidence of carcinoma of the tongue in patients with systemic
sclerosis. There is a highly significant increase in
the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in
patients with SSc. A remarkable observation was that all
patients within this cohort who developed oral cancer had
the diffuse subset of SSc. J Rheumatol. 2005 Apr;32(4):637-41.
(Also see: Diffuse
Scleroderma) |
| Sixty
Fold Increase in the Incidence of Squamous Cell Carcinoma
of the Tongue in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. Potential
causative agents may be chemical substances ingested through
the oral route, possibly triggering both cancer and systemic
sclerosis (SSc), or an oral based viral infection due
to the immunocompromised state of SSc. C. T. Derk. FRI0098
EULAR 2003 (Also see: Dental
Involvement: Tongue Cancer) |
| Tumors |
| Rheumatic disorders as paraneoplastic syndromes. The long-established observation that some rheumatologic disorders (RDs) are associated with, or precede, the clinical manifestations of a variety of solid and hematological tumors represents an important clue for the early diagnosis and effective treatment of the cancers. (PubMed) Racanelli V, Autoimmun Rev. 2008 May;7(5):352-8. |
| Personal Stories
of Cancer |
| Anna
B: Morphea My morphea started as bruise-like marks
on the backs of my legs about three years ago, after I had
just fought cervical cancer and won... |
| Bri:
Morphea Scleroderma I am currently waiting to have
plastic surgery. They are going to do reverse liposuction;
taking some fat and tissue from my left leg and then inject
it into my right leg... |
| Buggzy:
Autoimmune Hepatitis, Fibromyalgia, Undiagnosed I
am really desperate to get some answers or to hear from others
in the same boat as me... |
| Carrie:
CREST Syndrome All this started in 1995, as far as
receiving any diagnosis. First, I was diagnosed with breast
cancer. I went through radiation and chemotherapy... |
| Christin:
Linear Scleroderma My name is Christin. I am a twenty-year-old
college student. I have had scleroderma for as long as I
can remember... |
| Craig
R: CREST Scleroderma I had my first scleroderma symptoms
at age twenty-two, which included severe Raynaud's with some
ulceration and tissue loss... |
| Dwight:
Surviving Son of Scleroderma Patient My dear mother,
Drema L Shaver, passed away one year ago today... |
| Janice
E: CREST/Fibromyalgia At some point I came to the
realization that what I was feeling just could not be normal.
By this time my hands were swelling... |
| Kellie:
Overlap Scleroderma and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) I
am so relieved to read about so many people who have had
the same experiences... |
| Kym:
Diffuse, CREST Scleroderma, Lupus and Fibromyalgia It
all started with Raynaud's in my fingers and toes when I
was about nineteen years old, in 1979... |
| Marina:
Diffuse Scleroderma I was sent to a rheumatologist
who spent one and a half hours checking me while explaining
this rare and incurable autoimmune connective tissue disease
in a nut shell... |
| Mike
Thomas: Diffuse Scleroderma The doctors keep passing
me around saying that I am too complicated for them to treat.
So nothing gets done... |
| Rachel:
Morphea Scleroderma I have learned to control the
use of addicting medication and to manage the pain as well
as possible... |
