[Arthritis in paraneoplastic syndrome--a way to early cancer diagnosis? A case report]

Paraneoplastic syndrome is defined by clinical, radiological, and biological features associated with malignant disease without direct tumor invasion. The aim of our study was to present clinical and laboratory features of six cases ofparaneoplastic arthritis, witch can help to establish early cancer diagnosis, and help to distinguish paraneoplastic arthritis from other rheumatic diseases. According to our case analysis, pareneoplastic arthritis has occurred in both sex equally, all patients were older than 45 years, in most of cases it occurred within 14 months before cancer diagnosis, usually in early stage of cancer. Clinical features of paraneoplastic arthritis were: symmetric poliarthritis, usually were affected small hand joints and knees, predominant acute onset, and rheumatic nodes weren't present. Laboratory tests showed: high inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation level), negative rheumatoid factor, and negative anti-citrullinated protein antibody. X-ray scan did not show signs of joint destruction. Long term remission ofparaneoplastic arthritis was achieved by treatment of cancer.