Association between systemic sclerosis, palmar fasciitis with polyarthritis, Raynaud’s phenomenon and erythromelalgia with underlying malignancy

The symptoms of a rheumatic disease may also be a sign of a proliferative process. These include conditions that present with skin and vascular changes such as systemic sclerosis and Raynaud’s phenomenon with peripheral ischaemia and ulceration. Furthermore, the less common conditions – erythromelalgia or palmar fasciitis with polyarthritis may also accompany cancer. In this article, we discuss the association of diffuse systemic sclerosis with anorectal tumor, palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis with ovarian cancer, erythromelalgia with underlying ovarian malignancy and Raynaud’s phenomenon and digital ischemia associated with renal carcinoma. Based on the literature review on this topic we highlighted the importance of recognizing paraneoplastic syndromes at an early stage. This is a crucial point in the adequate management of a patient. Many of the paraneoplastic symptoms of rheumatic and other described conditions may regress with the management of the underlying malignancy.