[Vasculitis and neoplasms. 14 cases]

Fourteen cases of vasculitis associated with a neoplasm are reported. The vasculitides were classified as: leukocytolytic vasculitis 7, periarteritis nodosa 4, purpura rheumatica 1, cutaneous granulomatous vasculitis 1, microvasculitis nervosa 1. The neoplasms were diagnosed as: 10 hemopathies (including 4 cases of refractory anemia) and 5 solid tumors (1 patient had 2 tumors). The cutaneous manifestations (purpura, papules, subcutaneous nodules, etc.) and fever were the most common, while joint and neurological involvement were the rarest. The evolution of the vasculitis was usually corticosensitive and independent of the underlying neoplasm. A review of the literature revealed that these vasculitides (primarily leukocytolytic) were frequently associated with dysplastic myelogenous syndromes and hairy cell leukemia, while bronchopulmonary and colonic neoplasms were the most common solid tumors. The mechanisms giving rise to these vasculitides are discussed.