Evaluation of biochemical oncological markers and dermatoscopic picture in patients with tumor-associated localized scleroderma

Background. A special form of localized scleroderma (LS), namely tumor-associated LS, is distinguished. Some signs of LS may serve as an indicator of cancer in the body. They may occur before appearance of oncological diseases’ clinical symptoms. Identification of such signs will improve the survival of patients with cancer. Objective. To analyze the biochemical tumor markers and dermatoscopic picture in patients with tumor-associated LS. Material and methods. Patients (n=57) with histologically confirmed LS and excluded systemic scleroderma were divided into 2 groups depending on the presence of oncological diseases. Laboratory study of biochemical tumor markers (alpha-fetoprotein, CEA, NSE, CA 19-9, CA 72-4, CA 15-3) was performed, dermatoscopic diagnosis of the foci was done. Results. An increase in the level of oncomarkers has been found in 60% of patients with a cancer history and in 33.33% of patients without oncology. The increase of several indicators simultaneously has been mainly registered in patients with oncological history, whereas the increase of two cancer markers was found only in 1 (11.11%) patient in the group of subjects without oncology. It has been found in dermatoscopic examination that from 3 to 7 characteristic features were registered in the foci of patients without oncological history, while there were from 1 to 2 dermatoscopic signs of LS in all lesions in patients with oncology. Conclusion. The risks associated with oncology in the management of patients with LS necessitate the identification of criteria for early diagnosis of the disease.