A Role for Nailfold Video-Capillaroscopy in Paraneoplastic Systemic Sclerosis

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by small vessel vasculopathy and fibrosis. It is associated with an increased risk of cancer compared to the general population, and it can also be regarded as a paraneoplastic manifestation. As such, signs and symptoms of systemic sclerosis should regress after treatment of the underlying neoplasm. One of the earliest signs of systemic sclerosis is Raynaud’s phenomenon, with characteristic nailfold video-capillaroscopy abnormalities. We describe the case of a patient who was diagnosed with breast cancer after systemic sclerosis onset. After treatment for breast carcinoma, her systemic sclerosis did not progress, and the abnormalities found on nailfold video-capillaroscopy showed considerable regression, suggesting the paraneoplastic nature of SSc.