Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy as an initial manifestation of lung cancer
Mohamed Ahmed, Sarra K Mohamedahmed, Yara K Fadl, Lana Salih, Dalia Mohamedahmed, Razan K
Mohamed Ahmed, Sarra K
Mohamedahmed, Yara K
Fadl, Lana
Salih, Dalia
Mohamedahmed, Razan K
Affiliation
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust; The James Cook University Hospital; Al-Adwani General Hospital
Other Contributors
Publication date
2025-12-07
Subject
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA) is a paraneoplastic syndrome characterised by digital clubbing, periostitis, and arthralgia, most commonly secondary to lung malignancy. This case report presents a man in his 60s with a long history of smoking and asbestos exposure who developed progressive wrist and ankle pain, limb swelling, and enlargement of the hands and feet over eight months. He was initially investigated for rheumatoid arthritis due to positive rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, but repeated chest X-rays were normal. A CT scan later revealed a left lower lobe lesion, and biopsy confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. This case underscores the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for paraneoplastic syndromes such as HPOA when unexplained arthropathy and digital clubbing occur, even in the absence of respiratory symptoms.
Citation
Mohamed Ahmed SK, Mohamedahmed YK, Fadl L, Salih D, Mohamedahmed RK. Hypertrophic Pulmonary Osteoarthropathy as an Initial Manifestation of Lung Cancer. Cureus. 2025 Dec 7;17(12):e98619. doi: 10.7759/cureus.98619. PMID: 41368025; PMCID: PMC12683190.
Type
Article