Cancer and Scleroderma
Overview
Regular cancer screening is recommended for people who have systemic sclerosis due to 75% increased risk.
Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) may be associated with an increased incidence of cancer, including breast cancer, B-cell lymphoma, lung cancer and tongue cancer. (Also see Autoimmune Diseases)
Just because someone has cancer does not mean that they also have scleroderma, nor does it mean that someone with scleroderma will inevitably acquire cancer. Scleroderma affects everyone differently and there is no predictable course of the illness, either in its severity, progression or outcome. However, there is an increased risk of cancer in those who have systemic scleroderma, as documented in the research articles below. (Also see Types of Scleroderma, Associated Conditions, and Causes of Scleroderma)
Advanced Cancers Are Emerging, Doctors Warn, Citing Pandemic Drop in Screenings. Appointments for mammograms and other tests to detect potential cancers were canceled during lockdowns, possibly leading to undiagnosed malignancies. New York Times, 03/17/2021.
Covid's impact on cancer care is turning oncologists' worst fears into reality. Apart from felling scores of cancer patients, the virus has upended cancer diagnosis, treatment and research. NBC Health News, 02/19/2021.
Oxygen level while walking identifies at-risk patients; cancer patients should get vaccine priority. It can be helpful to assess blood oxygen levels in patients when they are walking if that level is normal when they are sitting, a new study suggests. Reuters Health, 12/21/2020.
Cancer and scleroderma (SSC): recent insights. The knowledge will allow the development of future prospective studies evaluating clinically relevant and targeted cancer screening strategies for newly diagnosed SSc patients. PubMed, Curr Opin Rheumatol, 2020 Nov;32(6):479-487.
Scientists inch closer to blood test to detect early stage cancer. Scientists are edging closer to developing blood tests that could detect early stage cancer, before patients show any symptoms of the disease. NBC Health News, 07/21/2020.
'Thousands missing out on cancer diagnosis'. Delays in diagnosing and treating people with cancer could lead to more years of lost life than with Covid-19, according to a leading cancer expert. BBC Health News, 04/22/2020.
Biphasic Temporal Relationship between Cancers and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc): A Clinical Series from Montpellier University Hospital and Review of the Literature. This study brought to light two peaks of cancer occurrence in SSc patients. PubMed, J Clin Med, 2020 Mar 20;9(3).
Immune discovery 'may treat all cancer'. A newly-discovered part of our immune system could be harnessed to treat all cancers, say scientists. BBC Health News, 01/20/2020.
The Trick of Treating Cancer in Autoimmune Diseases. For patients without a normal immune system immunotherapy could supercharge existing problems in the immune system, causing severe adverse effects that could worsen symptoms. Medscape,12/06/2019.
When Depression Is Like a Cancer. Just as cancer may go into remission but still kill in the end, depression is a chronic disease that may ultimately prove fatal even with state-of-the-art care and resources. New York Times, 09/26/2019. (Also see Depression)
Cancers in systemic sclerosis (Ssc) : risk factors, impact on survival and literature review The history of renal scleroderma crisis and the positivity of anti-topoisomerase I antibodies were associated with an increased risk of cancer in SSc patients in this monocentric study. PubMed, Rev Med Interne, 06/26/2019.
Why Does Exercise Guard Against Cancer? One of the most important benefits of exercise is in how it reduces our risk of developing a number of types of cancer – especially colorectal cancer. New York Times, 04/22/2019.
Serious kidney injury common during cancer chemotherapy. Nearly one in 10 cancer patients treated with chemotherapy or newer targeted drugs may be hospitalized for serious kidney injury, a Canadian study suggests. Reuters Health, 12/17/2018.
The risks of cancer development in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients: a systematic review and meta–analysis. This comprehensive meta–analysis provides epidemiological evidence supporting the associations between SLE and cancer risk. BMC Journals, Arthritis Research & Therapy, 12/06/2018. (Also see Symptoms and Complications of Lupus)
Cancer deaths rise to 9.6 million as populations grow and age. Cancer will claim the lives of 9.6 million people in 2018, accounting for one in 8 of all deaths among men and one in 11 among women, the World Health Organization’s cancer research agency said. Reuters Health, 09/12/2018.
Gene Profiling in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) Reveals the Presence of Oncogenic Gene Signatures. Our findings indicate the presence of modulated genes and miRNAs that can play a predisposing role in the development of malignancies in SSc. PubMed, Front Immunol, 2018 Mar 6;9:449.
The eight cancers that could be diagnosed with a single blood test. A single blood test detects cancers with up to 98 percent accuracy in patients without any symptoms, new research suggests. Mail Online, 01/19/2018.
How are cancer and connective tissue diseases (CTDs) related to sarcoidosis? The association between sarcoidosis and both cancer and CTDs may yield important insights into the immunopathogenesis of all three diseases. PubMed, Curr Opin Pulm Med. (Also see Connective Tissue Disease and Sarcoidosis)
Angiosarcoma and Scleroderma
Angiosarcoma: A type of cancer that begins in the lining of blood vessels. This type of tumor tends to be aggressive, recur locally, and spread widely. It can originate anywhere in the body but is well known to arise in skin, soft tissue, liver, breast, spleen, bone, lung and heart. MedicineNet.com.
(Case Report) Angiosarcoma arising in sclerodermatous skin. This is the first report of cutaneous angiosarcoma occurring in sclerodermatous skin. PubMed, Acta Dermatovenerol.
Autoantibodies and Cancer with Systemic Sclerosis
Evaluation of Malignancy Risk in Scleroderma (SSc) by Antibody Profile. A close temporal relationship between onset of SSc and malignancy has been reported in patients with anti-RNA polymerase III antibody. PubMed, Br J Dermatol, 09/13/2020.
Incidence, risk factors and outcomes of cancer in systemic sclerosis (SSc). SSc carries an increased risk of developing cancer, particularly lung cancer, breast cancer and melanoma occurring close to SSc disease onset in association with RNAP III antibodies. PubMed, Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken), 09/20/2019.
Autoantibodies and scleroderma phenotype define subgroups at high–risk and low–risk for cancer. Autoantibody specificity and disease subtype are biologically meaningful filters that may inform cancer risk stratification in patients with scleroderma. PubMed, Ann Rheum Dis, 2018 Aug;77(8):1179-1186. (Also see Antibodies)
Breast Cancer
Are Mammograms Worthwhile for Older Women? Some might be better off not knowing they have breast cancer because they are likely to die of other causes long before breast cancer would threaten their health. New York Times, 08/17/2020.
Losing weight after age 50 linked to lower breast cancer risk. Post-menopausal women who are able to lose even a modest amount of weight – and keep it off – may reduce their risk of developing breast cancer, recent research finds. NBC Health News, 12/17/2019.
Healthy diet cuts risk of dying from breast cancer in older women. A balanced, low–fat diet significantly lowers the risk of dying from breast cancer in postmenopausal women, according to new long–term data from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Dietary Modification trial. Reuters Health, 05/16/2019.
New breast cancer gene tests don't faze women. Women with breast cancer who get newer genetic tests to estimate their risk of recurrence may not be any more anxious about their test results than their peers who get older tests that focus on fewer genes, a recent study suggests. Reuters Health, 01/21/2019.
Hormone therapy and osteoporosis in breast cancer survivors: assessment of risk and adherence to screening recommendations. The natural, age–related reduction in bone density is exacerbated by breast cancer active aromatase inhibitors treatment. PubMed, Osteoporos Int, 11/09/2018. (Also see Osteoporosis)
Prevalence and risk factors for fatigue among breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors. Fatigue is highly related to younger age, higher education level, higher BMI, pain severity and insomnia. PubMed, Eur J Cancer, 2018 Sep;101:47-54. (Also see Fatigue)
Wide variation in follow–up care for women with low–risk breast cancer. The kind of imaging U.S. women receive after treatment for non–metastatic breast cancer can vary widely, a new study finds. Reuters Health, 07/17/2018.
Shorter drug treatment OK for many breast cancer patients. Many women with breast cancer that is treated with Herceptin can get by with six months of the drug, greatly reducing the risk of heart damage it sometimes can cause, a study suggests. NBC News, 05/16/2018.
Breast MRIs may lead to more biopsies that catch fewer cancers. Women who get magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening tests for breast cancer are more likely to get invasive surgical biopsies to look for tumors than women who just get screening mammograms, a U.S. study suggests. Reuters Health, 02/15/2018.
Impact of Radiation Therapy on Scleroderma and Cancer Outcomes in Scleroderma Patients with Breast Cancer. These data suggest that radiation injury causing local tissue fibrosis is not inevitable in SSc patients with breast cancer, occurring in 50% of cases without evidence of lung or generalized skin disease flare. PubMed, Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken), 01/05/2018. (Also see Radiation and Scleroderma)
Can the Cancer-related Fatigue Case-definition Criteria Be Applied to Chronic Medical Illness? A Comparison between Breast Cancer and Systemic Sclerosis. Harmonized definitions and measurement of clinically significant fatigue will advance research and clinical management of fatigue in rheumatic diseases and other conditions. PubMed, J Rheumatol. (Also see Fatigue)
Diane M: MCTD, and Surviving Sister of Scleroderma Patient I do not know what lies ahead for me on this path, I only hope that I can be as strong as my sister was…
Cervical Cancer
A 2008 study found that there is a high prevalence of abnormal Pap smears among those with diffuse scleroderma. (Also see Diffuse Scleroderma)
Cervical Cancer Screening in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Patients with SLE are at higher risk of abnormal cervical screening test results than controls, supporting the need for regular screening. PubMed, Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken), 08/16/2020. (Also see Symptoms and Complications of Lupus)
With cancer risk timeline, middle-aged women recognize need for cervix screening. When middle-aged women realize their cervical cancer risk from HPV lasts decades, more of them decide to get screened for this cancer, a small study found. Reuters Health, 08/21/2019.
Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer
Autoimmune diseases increase the risk of gastrointestinal tract cancer.
Case Report: Treatment of colon cancer in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. This report provides an effective way to diagnose colon cancer in patients with systemic lupus erythematous and illustrates a successful therapy strategy for this complex medical condition. PubMed, BMC Cancer. (Also see Symptoms and Complications of Lupus)
The Omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) selectively induces apoptosis in tumor-derived cells and suppress tumor growth in gastric cancer (GC). In summary, we found that DHA has a selective antiproliferative effect on GC, being this effect driven by apoptosis induction. PubMed, Eur J Pharmacol, 2021 Jan 26;896:173910. (Also see Supplement Guide)
Blood in the stool could point to more than colon cancer. A standard test for colon cancer that looks for blood in the stool may turn up more risks than doctors or patients bargained for, researchers reported. NBC News, 07/16/2018.
New research shows vitamin D could lower risk of colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society found having higher vitamin D levels than are currently recommended reduced the risk of colorectal cancer by 22 percent. NBC News, 06/14/2018. (Also see Vitamin D)
Leukemia
How Do You Die From Leukemia? People diagnosed with leukemia and multiple myeloma, both cancers originating in the bone marrow, are living much longer than they did just a few decades ago. New York Times, 08/17/2018.
Missing microbes 'cause' childhood cancer. Our modern germ–free life is the cause of the most common type of cancer in children, according to one of Britain's most eminent scientists. BBC News, 05/21/2018.
Liver Cancer
There is an increased risk of liver cancer in systemic scleroderma patients. (Also see What is Scleroderma?)
Interleukin 25 (IL-25) expression in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Aberrant expression of IL-25 in CCA tissue was associated with tumor metastasis and poor prognosis, suggesting that IL-25 is a potential prognostic biomarker. PubMed, Mol Clin Oncol, 2020 Dec;13(6):84. (Also see Interleukins)
Whole grains might help ward off liver cancer. Yet another benefit of eating a diet containing high amounts of whole grains may be a reduced risk of liver cancer, a new U.S. study suggests. Reuters Health, 02/21/2019.
Lung Cancer
'Thousands' of lung cancer cases have gone undiagnosed in England during coronavirus pandemic because people confuse the cough with Covid, NHS boss warns. People may mistake symptoms of lung cancer for tell-tale signs of coronavirus and late diagnosis of lung cancer has significantly worse chances of survival. Mail Online, 02/17/2021.
Clinicopathological characteristics of lung cancer in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). A high proportion of patients had SSc-interstitial lung disease, including non specific interstitial pneumonia and usual interstitial pneumonia. PubMed, Clin Respir J, 08/08/2020. (Also see Lung Involvement)
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Associated with Lung Cancer (LC): A Case-Control Study. ILD was a major prognosis factor for LC and should be taken into consideration for LC management. PubMed, J Clin Med, 2020 Mar 5;9(3):700. (Also see Correlation between Pulmonary Fibrosis and other Diseases)
Diets with more fiber, yogurt tied to lower risk of lung cancer. People who eat more fiber and yogurt may be less likely to develop lung cancer than those who don’t consume much of these foods, a research review suggests. Reuters Health, 11/21/2019.
Clinicopathological features of lung cancer (LC) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Lower likelihood for receiving surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy was reported for LC patients with RA. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 08/02/2018. (Also see Symptoms and Complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis)
Solitary organizing pneumonia (SOP) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) mimicking lung adenocarcinoma. SOP is often misdiagnosed and removed surgically as it is rare and difficult to distinguish from lung carcinoma. SOP should be considered when a solitary nodular lung lesion is noted in a patient with SSc. PubMed, Arthritis Rheumatol. (Also see Lung Involvement: Pneumonia)
Case Study: Possible anti-metastatic effect of Iloprost in a patient with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with lung cancer. Herein, we report iloprost treatment of a 60-year-old-woman with SSc, who lately developed pulmonary hypertension as a complication of her disease and lung adenocarcinoma as a co-incidence simultaneously. Yavuz Pehlivan, Reheumatology International. (Also see Inhaled Prostacyclin)
Lymphoma
Systemic scleroderma may be complicated by several types of cancers, including haematological malignancies.
Case Report: Primary central nervous system lymphoma in scleroderma. We hypothesize that removing immunosuppression could allow the immune system to generate an inflammatory response to an underlying tumor or viral antigen. Journal of Scleroderma and Related Disorders.
Case Reports: Haematological Malignancies in Systemic Sclerosis Patients. The majority of cases presented with B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Case Reports in Rheumatology.
Malignant Atrophic Papulosis (MAP) or Degos Syndrome
(Case Report) Lesions resembling malignant atrophic papulosis in a patient with progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Malignant atrophic papulosis (MAP), or Degos syndrome, is a rare disorder of unknown etiology (cause). It is characterized by a deep subcutaneous vasculopathy resulting in atrophic, porcelain-white papules. PubMed, Cutis. (Also see Types of Scleroderma)
MALT Lymphoma
(Case Report) Systemic sclerosis and gastric MALT lymphoma. MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphomas are usually confined to the gastric wall. Gastric MALT lymphomas have a well-established association with H. pylori infection. Eradication of H. pylori is the mainstay of treatment. PubMed, Joint Bone Spine. (Also see Gastrointestinal Involvement)
Medications and Cancer
Safety and Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) in Patients with Cancer and Preexisting Autoimmune Disease (PAD): A Nationwide Multicenter Cohort Study. The occurrence of a flare/Immune Related Adverse Effects is frequent but mostly manageable without ICI discontinuation in patients with PAD. PubMed, Arthritis Rheumatol, 08/05/2019.
Anti-cancer Therapy May Help Fight Inflammation in Scleroderma (SSc) Patients, Data Suggest. These results suggest that tagraxofusp might be a potential therapeutic approach for SSc or other autoimmune diseases. Scleroderma News, 06/26/2019. (Also see Dendritic Cells)
Palliative care training helps doctors steer cancer patients away from major surgery. Doctors who don’t have palliative care training are more likely to recommend aggressive surgery for patients with life–limiting diseases, a study suggests. Reuters Health, 05/22/2018.
Melanoma
Hope for melanoma patients as test can now predict whether the deadliest form of skin cancer is likely to spread or return. Scientists have developed a test which can predict whether the deadliest skin cancer is likely to spread or return. Mail Online, 09/26/2019.
Three quarters of dermatologists think sunbeds should be BANNED entirely amid soaring rates of skin cancer, poll reveals. Nine out of ten skin experts believe sunbeds on the high street are leading to a rise in skin cancer cases and deaths. Mail Online, 07/22/2019.
Skin Cancer and Other Skin Complications for People with Scleroderma. The skin is the largest organ in the body and is affected in most scleroderma patients. Scleroderma News, 11/07/2018.
The dark side of the light: Phototherapy adverse effects. Despite concerns over the carcinogenic potential of ultraviolet radiation, most studies have not found an increased risk of non–melanoma or melanoma skin cancer in patients treated with ultraviolet B (broadband and narrowband) and ultraviolet A1 phototherapy. PubMed, Clin Dermatol. (Also see Morphea Treatments and Clinical Trials: Positive Results)
(Case Report) Jo-1 positive paraneoplastic systemic sclerosis in a patient with metastatic melanoma. This rare case of SSc concurrent with melanoma suggests that besides other possible mechanisms, paraneoplastic etiology (cause) can be responsible for the association between SSc and cancer. PubMed, Eur J Dermatol.
Myeloma (Bone Marrow Cancer)
Case Report: Systemic sclerosis and myositis as a paraneoplastic syndrome secondary to multiple myeloma (MM). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reporting these two clinical conditions simultaneously associated with MM. PubMed, Acta Reumatol Port. (Also see Myopathy and Myositis)
Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) and autoimmune disorders (AD): Cause or consequence? Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) and Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) are frequently associated with clinical manifestations of autoimmune disorders (AD) and inflammatory response of the immune system. PubMed, Best Pract Res Clin Haematol.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
What are the risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma? Some autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), Sjogrens disease, celiac sprue (gluten-sensitive enteropathy), and others have been linked with an increased rate of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. American Cancer Society.
Laira: MCTD, Scleroderma, SLE, Lupus, CREST, Lymphoma I was just seventeen when I was told I had rheumatoid arthritis…
Ovarian Cancer
Automated Assay of a Four–Protein Biomarker Panel for Improved Detection of Ovarian Cancer. Combining migration inhibitory factor,osteopontin, prolactin and cancer antigen–125 can better differentiate ovarian cancer from healthy controls compared to CA-125 alone. PubMed, Cancers (Basel), 2021 Jan 17;13(2):E325.
Birth Control Pills May Help Prevent Some Cancers. In a new study published in JAMA Oncology, researchers explore how oral contraceptives, which affect women’s hormone levels to prevent pregnancy, affect cancer risk. Time Healthland, 01/18/2018.
Case Report of Germline Compound Heterozygous Mutations in the BRCA1 Gene of an Ovarian and Breast Cancer Patient. The germline carrier of the BRCA1 pathogenic mutation has been well proven to confer an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. PubMed, Int J Mol Sci.
Prostate Cancer
PSA testing: Deadly prostate cancer cases rising as screening declines. Cases of advanced prostate cancer have increased among American men ages 50 and older, while cases of early-stage disease have declined, a study found. NBC Health News, 05/20/2020.
Emerging treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC): Immunotherapy, PARP inhibitors, and PSMA-targeted approaches. This review will cover what is currently known about the utility of these agents for the treatment of mCRPC, the areas of active research, and how these agents may be useful for patients in the future. PubMed, Cancer Treat Res Commun, 2020 Jan 7;23:100164.
Combination radium-223 therapies in patients with bone metastases from castration-resistant prostate cancer: A review. This review underline the biological rationale for combining radium strategies, investigating their effects on bone in terms of control of skeletal-related events and bone disease progression. PubMed, Crit Rev Oncol Hematol, 2020 Jan 7;146:102864.
T Cell Lymphoma
(Case Report) Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma with an unusual proliferation of epstein-barr virus-associated large B cells arising in a patient with progressive systemic sclerosis. The cause was suggested to be closely associated with immunosuppressive treatment for progressive systemic sclerosis. PubMed, Acta Haematol. (Also see Causes of Scleroderma: Medications)
Thyroid Cancer
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) attenuates progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC): deciphering immunological links. We did not find significant differences in T-cytotoxic cells quantity in node-positive and node-negative patients with or without HT, which encourages further investigation of immune escape mechanisms in PTC. PubMed, Heliyon 2020 Jan 8;6(1):e03077. (Also see Hashimoto's Thyroiditis)
Is there a correlation between thyroiditis and thyroid cancer? Our conclusion was that a correlation between thyroiditis and a higher incidence of thyroid cancer is still undefined. PubMed, Endocrine, 2019 Dec;66(3):538-541. (Also see Hashimoto's Thyroiditis)
Increased risk of papillary thyroid cancer (TC) in systemic sclerosis associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. Patients with SSc have an increased risk of malignancy compared with the general population and these data suggest a high prevalence of papillary TC, in particular in the presence of thyroid autoimmunity. PubMed, Rheumatology (Oxford). (Also see Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases)
Tongue and Oral Cancers
A 2004 study showed that there is a highly significant increase in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in patients with systemic sclerosis.
All scleroderma patients should be regularly screened for oral cancer.
Cancers of the Oral Mucosa. Immune defects may predispose to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), especially lip cancer. OSCC is also now being reported with increased frequency in association with diabetes and systemic sclerosis. Medscape. (Also see Dental Involvement: Oral Cancers and Diabetes)
(Case Report) Tongue squamous cell carcinoma in a patient with systemic sclerosis. Periodic screening examinations are necessary to discover possible malignancies in primary stages in patients with systemic sclerosis. ResearchGate.
Tumors
Rheumatic disorders as paraneoplastic syndromes. The long-established observation that some rheumatologic disorders (RDs) are associated with, or precede, the clinical manifestations of a variety of solid and hematological tumors represents an important clue for the early diagnosis and effective treatment of the cancers. PubMed, Autoimmun Rev.
Personal Stories of Cancer
Anna B: Morphea My morphea started as bruise-like marks on the backs of my legs about three years ago, after I had just fought cervical cancer and won…
Bri: Morphea Scleroderma I am currently waiting to have plastic surgery. They are going to do reverse liposuction; taking some fat and tissue from my left leg and then inject it into my right leg…
Buggzy: Autoimmune Hepatitis, Fibromyalgia, Undiagnosed I am really desperate to get some answers or to hear from others in the same boat as me…
Carrie: CREST Syndrome All this started in 1995, as far as receiving any diagnosis. First, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through radiation and chemotherapy…
Christin: Linear Scleroderma My name is Christin. I am a twenty-year-old college student. I have had scleroderma for as long as I can remember…
Craig R: CREST Scleroderma I had my first scleroderma symptoms at age twenty-two, which included severe Raynaud's with some ulceration and tissue loss…
Dwight: Surviving Son of Scleroderma Patient My dear mother, Drema L Shaver, passed away one year ago today…
Janice E: CREST/Fibromyalgia At some point I came to the realization that what I was feeling just could not be normal. By this time my hands were swelling…
Kellie: Overlap Scleroderma and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) I am so relieved to read about so many people who have had the same experiences…
Kym: Diffuse, CREST Scleroderma, Lupus and Fibromyalgia It all started with Raynaud's in my fingers and toes when I was about nineteen years old, in 1979…
Marina: Diffuse Scleroderma I was sent to a rheumatologist who spent one and a half hours checking me while explaining this rare and incurable autoimmune connective tissue disease in a nut shell…
Mike Thomas: Diffuse Scleroderma The doctors keep passing me around saying that I am too complicated for them to treat. So nothing gets done…
Rachel: Morphea Scleroderma I have learned to control the use of addicting medication and to manage the pain as well as possible…
SCLERO.ORG was the world's leading nonprofit for trustworthy research, support, education and awareness for scleroderma and related illnesses from 1998 to 2021. It was a grassroots movement from the original Scleroderma from A to Z web site, which was founded by Shelley Ensz. We were a 501(c)(3) U.S.-based public charitable foundation. We closed this web site and our nonprofit agency in April 2021.