Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypical systemic autoimmune disease,
characterized by a wide array of symptoms and organ involvements, leading to varying
disease courses and outcome, and ranging from mild to severe types. In patients with
SLE, the incidence and risk of malignancy development is increased, and mostly non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma (NHL), cervical cancer, as well as bronchial carcinomas occur. Besides others,
the common genetic predisposition, chronic antigen stimulus, disproportional immune
responses, as well as the chronic administration of immunosuppressive medications
can contribute to the development of malignancies in lupus. In this review we present
the molecular pathology, as well as the epidemiological and clinical aspects of malignancies
in patients with SLE.
