[Lung adenocarcinoma associated with systemic sclerosis: a case report]
João Bento1, Gabriela Fernandes, Maria Alice Barbosa
1Serviço de Pneumologia, Hospital de São João, EPE, Porto.
Revista Portuguesa De Pneumologia
|January 16, 2009
Summary
Systemic sclerosis, a connective tissue disease, is rarely associated with lung cancer. This case highlights the importance of pulmonary surveillance in scleroderma patients due to increased malignancy risk.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Pulmonology
- Oncology
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease.
- Patients with systemic sclerosis have an elevated risk of developing malignancies.
- Lung cancer is the most common malignancy observed in systemic sclerosis patients.
Observation:
- A 42-year-old non-smoking female with systemic sclerosis presented with worsening health and exudative pleural effusion.
- High-resolution computed tomography revealed pulmonary fibrosis; initial investigations ruled out infection and other malignancies.
- Pleuroscopy identified pleural nodularities, with biopsy confirming lung adenocarcinoma.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma in the context of systemic sclerosis.
- Treatment with chemotherapy led to complications including febrile neutropenia and sepsis.
- The patient unfortunately died 12 days after initiating chemotherapy.
Implications:
- This case underscores the rare but significant association between systemic sclerosis and lung cancer.
- Emphasizes the critical need for vigilant pulmonary surveillance in patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis.
- Highlights the potential for aggressive disease progression and treatment complications in this patient population.
