A Case of Squamous Cell Lung Cancer in Association With Remitting Seronegative Symmetrical Synovitis With Pitting Edema (RS3PE) Syndrome

Background. Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) syndrome is characterized as a sudden onset symmetrical polyarthritis together with pitting edema of the hands, feet and legs which mainly affects the elderly. This syndrome responds to low dose steroids, and does not relapse. Recently, some cases of malignancy, although rarely lung cancer, have been reported in association with RS3PE syndrome. Case. An 83-year-old man had been followed up with RS3PE syndrome since April 2002. He was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow in the left upper lung field in January 2003. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a 2.5 cm nodule in the S1+2segment of the left lobe. He was diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, T4NOM1, stage IV. He was treated with radiation therapy for brain metastasis and he is now being followed up as an outpatient. Conclusion. We report a rare case of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung in association with RS3PE syndrome. Considering previous report in the past literature, RS3PE syndrome may have been a prodrome of lung cancer in this case.