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The association of pemphigus with thymoma or malignancy: a critical review
Author(s) -
KRAIN LAWRENCE S.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1974.tb06424.x
Subject(s) - paraneoplastic pemphigus , pemphigus , thymoma , malignancy , medicine , pemphigus vulgaris , autoimmune disease , dermatology , pemphigoid , pathology , disease , immunology , bullous pemphigoid , autoantibody , antibody
SUMMARY In order to determine the relationship between all forms of pemphigus and malignancy or thymoma, a search of the world literature was carried out. Fifty‐nine case reports or isolated citations for pemphigus with malignancies or thymomas were noted, including twenty‐one reports published before the histological separation by Lever of pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid in 1953. Of these cases, twenty‐six were acceptable for analysis. In approximately 54% of patients surveyed with these associations, the malignancy involved the lymphoid or reticuloendothelial systems. Approximately 48% of the patients with pemphigus and malignancy or thymoma had associated autoimmune diseases. Pemphigus with malignancies or thymomas may be related through some intervening variables such as immuno‐suppressive therapy or the antigenic and cross‐reacting nature of the primary tumour, or through an immunological consequence of associated autoimmune disease.