Lung cancer in patients with scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease: Case series and implications for screening
Abstract
Objective Patients with scleroderma associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) are at an increased risk for lung cancer, necessitating a high index of suspicion for timely detection. This case series describes three patients with SSc-ILD who developed lung cancer, highlighting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in detecting and managing malignancy within abnormal lung parenchyma. Methods Electronic medical records were reviewed by a team of physicians. Clinical, radiographic, and pathologic data from each patient's disease course were synthesized to illustrate diagnostic workup and management decisions. Results The series includes two former smokers with minimal smoking history and one never-smoker. Lung cancer stages at diagnosis ranged from IA to IVb. Positron emission tomography imaging was instrumental in raising suspicion for malignancy and selecting diagnostic sites. Pausing immunosuppression led to ILD progression for all patients. Conclusion This case series emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for lung cancer in patients with SSc-ILD, including among minimal or non-smokers, and highlights the urgent need for future research into risk factors and mechanistic pathways, screening strategies, and management approaches for lung cancer in SSc-ILD.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Effectiveness of Bisphosphonates and Denosumab on Risk of Vertebral Fractures in Prostate Cancer Patients Under Androgen Deprivation Therapies: A Real-World Prospective Study
- Osteoporosis-related fractures after spinal cord injury: a retrospective study from Brazil
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and mortality in older men
- Lack of Association between Vitamin D Insufficiency and Cardiovascular or Fracture Risk: A UK Biobank Study
- Muscle strength and body composition are clinical indicators of osteoporosis
- Incidence of bone protection and associated fragility injuries in patients with proximal femur fractures
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.