[Vasculitis and malignant diseases]

Approximately 1 - 7% of all patients with cutaneous vasculitis have an associated malignant disease. In such cases, vasculitis most often accompanies myelo- and lymphoproliferative diseases. Histologically, leukocytoclastic or panarteritis nodosa-like vasculitis are the most frequently observed types, and in most instances manifest clinically as palpable purpura. Malignancy should be suspected if the clinical picture does not fit into any well defined category of connective tissue disease, and when drugs and infection are excluded as causes of the vasculitis. The author discusses possible mechanisms of paramalignant vasculitis.