Paraneoplastic arthritides: an up-to-date case-based systematic review

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Oncology
• Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Background:

• Rheumatic diseases like systemic sclerosis, dermatomyositis, and rheumatic polymyalgia can mimic or be associated with malignancies.
• Differential diagnosis is crucial for non-typical rheumatic diseases or when neoplastic risk factors are present.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on paraneoplastic arthritis.
• To present a case description and discussion of arthritis as a paraneoplastic syndrome.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on paraneoplastic arthritis.
• Case study presentation and discussion.

Main Results:

• Paraneoplastic arthritis predominantly affects men over 50.
• It typically presents as seronegative, symmetrical polyarthritis unresponsive to treatment.
• Complete remission is observed post-tumor treatment, with symptom recurrence upon metastasis.

Conclusions:

• Arthritis can manifest as a paraneoplastic syndrome, particularly in older men with specific clinical features.
• The response to arthritis treatment and symptom patterns can indicate an underlying malignancy.
• Identifying paraneoplastic arthritis necessitates a thorough oncological workup.