Paraneoplastic raynaud phenomenon and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in non-small-cell lung cancer

Abstract

The association of Raynaud phenomenon with malignancy has rarely been reported. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is also an infrequent complication of solid tumors. We report a 62-year-old man who sought treatment for severe Raynaud phenomenon requiring medical therapy and was subsequently diagnosed to have non-small-cell lung cancer. After chemotherapy and radiotherapy, his cancer was in complete remission and the Raynaud phenomenon resolved. Severe thrombocytopenia later developed for which no apparent cause was found, and which was responsive to steroid therapy. This heralded relapse of his lung cancer. This is a case of lung cancer with two rare paraneoplastic syndromes.