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Simultaneous Development of Autoimmune Disease and Malignancy in Two Elderly Patients
Author(s) -
LIPSMEYER ELEANOR A.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1979.tb01726.x
Subject(s) - medicine , malignancy , autoimmunity , titer , disease , autoimmune disease , rheumatic disease , immunology , antibody , dermatology
Two elderly patients who presented with symptoms of “systemic rheumatic or autoimmune disease” had high serum titers of fluorescent anti‐nuclear antibody (ANA). Signs of malignancy were evident at the time of the first examination. T‐cell dysfunction in the aged may permit the simultaneous development of autoimmunity and neoplasia. When rheumatic symptoms with a high titer of fluorescent ANA develop in elderly patients, an exhaustive search for malignancy should be considered.