Paraneoplastic Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis

Abstract

Widespread eruptive purpura, hematuria and proteinuria developed in a 56-year-old woman. A skin biopsy showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. During a 31-month follow-up, the purpura repeatedly cleared with corticosteroid treatment only to flare with tapering of the medication. Awareness of possible cancer-associated vasculitis led us to search for an occult malignancy, and an asymptomatic lung tumor was discovered. During a 32-month observation period, after resection of a well differentiated peripheral pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the purpuric skin eruption did not recur, although steroid therapy was withheld.