Reversal of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy after chemotherapy for bronchogenic carcinoma.

A patient with hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HO) secondary to large cell anaplastic carcinoma of the lung was treated with combination chemotherapy (CAP-1). Systemic tumor symptoms resolved within 3 wk. Relief from the bone and articular symptoms of HO was noted after 3 months of treatment, coincident with a partial remission (greater than 50% tumor regression). Objective improvement in the radionuclide bone scan and radiographic periostitis was demonstrated after 6 months. Symptomatic improvement continued despite evidence of tumor progression after 10 months of treatment. Systemic chemotherapy should be considered in the management of symptomatic osteoarthropathy secondary to unresectable bronchogenic carcinoma.