[Paraneoplastic subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus]

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) has diverse causes, including idiopathic, drug-induced, and paraneoplastic origins.
• Paraneoplastic syndromes occur when cancer triggers a remote effect not directly related to tumor spread.

Observation:

• A case report details a 70-year-old female patient diagnosed with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
• The patient's SCLE was identified as paraneoplastic in origin.
• Further examination revealed an underlying lung adenocarcinoma in the patient.

Findings:

• The diagnosis of paraneoplastic SCLE was established in the context of an incidentally discovered lung adenocarcinoma.
• The patient presented with characteristic skin lesions in sun-unexposed areas and B symptoms, prompting further investigation.

Implications:

• This case underscores the necessity of considering paraneoplastic SCLE in the differential diagnosis of SCLE, particularly with specific clinical presentations.
• Early detection of underlying malignancies like lung adenocarcinoma can be facilitated by recognizing paraneoplastic SCLE.
• Awareness among clinicians is crucial for timely diagnosis and management of patients with paraneoplastic SCLE and associated cancers.