Remission of scleroderma during chemotherapy for lymphoma

Abstract

Temporary remission of scieroderma during the successful treatment of an associated malignant lymphoma by chemotherapy is reported in a patient with systemic sclerosis and mixed connective tissue disease. There is a weli established relation between malignant disease and polymyositis/dermatomyositis but no overail association with systemic sclerosis ox mixed connective tissue disease. Reports of the coexistence of malignancy and systemic sclerosis, however, emphasise a close temporal relation in their occurrence. A review of published work has identified several postulated mechanisms for this relation which may explain the response to chemotherapy.