Arthritis in CA Head Pancreas

Arthritis and other rheumatologic diseases such as vasculitis, myositis and metabolic bone disease can be presenting feature of cancer in a few patients. Underlying malignancy is usually suspected in patients with explosive onset of atypical arthritis especially at older age. Arthritis usually does not respond to standard antirheumatic therapy. The malignancy may be occult although search for such occult malignancy is not cost-effective.

Early diagnosis of malignancy is possible with correct diagnosis of paraneoplastic syndromes. Some of the musculoskeletal symptoms resolve with successful treatment and relapse with recurrence of malignancy. Early diagnosis of malignancy is possible with correct diagnosis of these paraneoplastic syndromes.

Common cancers causing musculoskeletal syndromes include

Patients on drugs such as cyclophosphamide and biologic agents have increased risk of cancer. Patients with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome, too, have increased risk of development of malignancy.