A challenging case of rheumatoid arthritis in an acromegalic patient

A 63-year-old man with complaints of joint pain and ankle swelling was evaluated. The arthralgias he described were mainly in the knees, elbows, and shoulders. Accompanying swelling and erythema in his left ankle and left second metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint had recently ensued. His past history revealed acromegaly, somatotropinectomy, and radiotherapy. His neck, bilateral wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints were involved; there was pain and limited range of motion. The MCP joints, being worse than the interphalangeal joints, were likewise involved. His left ankle and MCP joints additionally were swollen and erythematous. Laboratory and radiological evaluations were carried out. Radiological and clinical findings confirmed a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and concurrent acromegalic arthropathy. The patient was treated accordingly. Interestingly, he later developed colon cancer.