Lung cancer mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus: case-based review

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features of lupus-like lung adenocarcinoma, thus improving both the recognition of lupus mimickers and diagnosis accuracy. We collected three cases of lung adenocarcinoma in which the clinical characteristics and laboratory profiles imitated systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in our hospital, and also we had a literature review using search engine. There are few reports of lung adenocarcinoma for which the clinical and laboratory profiles meet the criteria for SLE diagnosis. Follow-up and pathological biopsy are beneficial for the differential diagnosis. Few lung adenocarcinoma cases resemble SLE. Gene pleiotropy and immune dysregulation might be contributing factors. Lung adenocarcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of SLE. Follow-up and pathological biopsy should be improved to enable early detection of lung adenocarcinoma-associated lupus-like conditions.