Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis and malignant disease

Abstract

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis developed in a 45-year-old woman, who had a 3 year history of untreated breast carcinoma. A review of the literature revealed that malignant disease has been associated with 27% of reported cases. It is considered that, like adult dermatomyositis, the onset of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis should stimulate detailed investigation for an underlying neoplasm.

Proliferating multicentric reticulohistiocytosis associated with papillary serous carcinoma of the endometrium

“…8 Several patterns emerge in the temporal relationship between MRH and malignancy as reported in the English-language literature (Table I). In most cases, the onset of malignancy and MRH occurred within about 2 years of each other, [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] or the presentation of MRH prompted a workup and subsequent detection of malignancy. [17][18][19][20][21][22] However, the onset of MRH may also occur closer to the time of recurrence or metastasis of a previously diagnosed and treated malignancy.…”

Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis

“…We were also con cerned for the possibility that the myositis in our patient could be a paraneoplasic mani festation in the course of the disease as has been suggested [13]. Furthermore, MR has been linked with malignancies of the breast, gastrointestinal, respiratory and genitouri nary tract [6], However, an extensive evalu ation of the patient did not support this. Sar coidosis bears also some similarity with MR.…”

Diffuse Cutaneous Reticulohistiocytosis

“…He pointed out that of 74 cases of MR, 19 (24% ) had an associated malignancy (Table), a rate close to the 27% (11 of 41 patients with MR) previously noted. 15 In some instances MR preceded the discovery of a neoplasia by several months to four years. The course of MR varies.…”