Morphea and systemic sclerosis are associated with an increased risk for melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer

To the Editor: It is well-known that systemic autoimmune diseases confer an increased risk for cancer.1 In recent years, studies have described an increased risk for epithelial malignancies in patients with systemic sclerosis —most commonly lung carcinoma.2-4 There are no current studies in the literature evaluating the prevalence of epithelial skin cancers in patients with the localized form of scleroderma, morphea. Using the Slicer Dicer feature of the electronic medical record system EPIC, we retrospectively collect ed anonymous, aggregate-level data on patients ≥18 years of age seen at Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) over a 6-year period (March 9, 2012-March 9, 2018).
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Research letter Source Type: research