Rheumatic Manifestations of Cancer

The wide range of rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions that can appear in association with cancer emphasizes that rheumatic disease is a major component of the spectrum of paraneoplastic manifestations. Although the pathogenetic mechanisms by which neoplasia causes these manifestations are only partially understood in select cases, many are because of immune-mediated effects stimulated by tumor antigens of endocrine factors produced by tumors. The broad overlap in signs and symptoms of occult malignancy and systemic rheumatic disease emphasizes the importance of considering and investigating the possibility of occult malignancy in the evaluation of patients with these symptoms.