Paraneoplastic pemphigus: a case of prolonged survival.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a patient with severe, recalcitrant mucous membrane erosions and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.


METHODS
We present a case report and a literature review of paraneoplastic pemphigus.


METHODS
Immunofluorescence studies and immunoprecipitation confirmed the presence of autoantibodies characteristic of paraneoplastic pemphigus in the patient's serum.


RESULTS
Our patient lived almost 8 years after the onset of paraneoplastic pemphigus, the longest time that anyone with this disease is known to have survived.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical course of paraneoplastic pemphigus tends to be rapid and fatal despite immunosuppressive therapy. Long-term survival is uncommon.
Perniciaro
C
C
Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Florida 32224.
Kuechle
M K
MK
Colón-Otero
G
G
Raymond
M G
MG
Spear
K L
KL
Pittelkow
M R
MR
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology