Coexistence of systemic sclerosis, scleroderma-like syndromes and neoplastic diseases 119 REVIEW ARTICLES Neoplastic diseases and rheumatic syndromes A number of rheumatic diseases coexisting with neoplasm of various origins have been reported. Neoplastic lesions changes may evoke the paraneoplastic rheumatic syndromes. Moreover, they may be a complication of chronic rheumatic disease [1]. Paraneoplastic syndrome is defined as a sign or a constellation of signs and symptoms which are secondary to the presence of a malignancy. These symptoms may be induced to the substances secreted by the neoplasm (hormones and other biologically active substances) or to the immune system response to tumor cells (autoimmunological reactions, immune complexes, immune system suppression) and may involve many organs and systems. Paraneoplastic syndromes are not related to