Cancer in systemic sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the frequency of cancer is increased among patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of 248 patients who were followed up prospectively was conducted.


RESULTS
Cancers developed in 18 patients (7.3%) during 2,001 patient-years at risk. The most frequent types were cancers of the lung (7 patients) and breast (5 patients). Older age at diagnosis of SSc was a significant risk factor for cancer. Lung cancer was associated with the presence of pulmonary fibrosis. The age-standardized incidence rate for all cancers (7.9/1,000) was 2.1 times the overall rate in the Ontario population (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of cancer is increased in patients with SSc.
Abu-Shakra
M
M
University of Toronto, Rheumatic Disease Unit, Ontario, Canada.
Guillemin
F
F
Lee
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology