Cancer and Scleroderma

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2020 Aug;46(3):551-564. doi: 10.1016/j.rdc.2020.03.002. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Abstract

Individuals with scleroderma have an increased risk of cancer compared with the general population. This heightened risk may be from chronic inflammation and tissue damage, malignant transformation provoked by immunosuppressive therapies, or a common inciting factor. In unique subsets of patients with scleroderma, there is a close temporal relationship between the onset of cancer and scleroderma, suggesting cancer-induced autoimmunity. This article discusses the potential mechanistic links between cancer and scleroderma, the serologic and clinical risk factors associated with increased cancer risk in patients with scleroderma, and implications for cancer screening.

Keywords: Autoantibodies; Cancer screening; Epidemiology; Malignancy; Scleroderma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / complications
  • Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Neoplasms* / physiopathology
  • Scleroderma, Systemic* / complications
  • Scleroderma, Systemic* / epidemiology
  • Scleroderma, Systemic* / immunology