Lupus-like syndrome associated with carcinoma of the breast

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Abstract
Two patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the breast had radiation therapy as primary treatment. Within 1 yr a lupus-like syndrome developed characterized by pneumonitis, pleural effusion, and a positive fluorescent antinuclear antibody (FANA) reaction and lupus erythematosus (LE) preparation. Pericarditis developed in 1 patient and leukopenia in the other. The bilateral pulmonary disease, serological abnormalities, and rapid and sustained respone to administration of prednisone made the diagnosis if systemic lupus erythematosus more likely than radiation-induced disease or metastatic carcinoma. Radiation to normal and/or malignant tissue may have initiated an immunological response leading to a lupus-like syndrome.

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