[Malignant tumors and rheumatism. Study of their relation]

Some aspects of the relationships between malignancy and rheumatic diseases are presented. The incidence of leukaemia and lymphomas is increased in rheumatic patients previously treated by alkylating agents or x-rays; hypertrophic treated by alkylating agents or x-rays; hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is frequently associated with bronchogenic carcinoma; very exceptionally, rheumatoidlike arthritis or polymyalgia rheumatica may be paraneoplastic syndromes. As a rule there is an interval of as long as several months between the beginning of joint or bone pains and radiological appearance of metastases. Early detection is possible if there is an elevated level of alkaline phosphatase, increased excretion of hydroxyproline and a positive bone scan.