Pemphigus and cancer: A single-center experience over 30 years in Morocco

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between pemphigus and cancer and to analyze the characteristics of pemphigus in which a neoplasm occurs. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive study conducted at the Dermatology Department of Ibn Sina Hospital in Rabat from January 1993 to December 2022, including all pemphigus cases in which cancer was diagnosed before, during, or after the onset of pemphigus. Results: Among 302 pemphigus cases, 13 patients presented an associated cancer (4,3%). Only one patient had a paraneoplastic pemphigus. There was an increased incidence of various solid cancers (11/13) in deep pemphigus types yet without temporal relationship. When hematological malignancy occurred (3/13), it was mainly non-lymphoproliferative and preceded deep pemphigus types with good prognosis. Patient comorbidities and immunosuppressive treatments did not influence the onset of cancer. Conclusion: Our manuscript suggests an increased incidence of solid cancers in deep pemphigus subtypes, independently of the timeline of the latter onset. These pemphigus cases carry a good prognosis. Key words: Pemphigus, Cancer, Paraneoplastic pemphigus, Paraneoplastic autoimmune multiorgan syndrome