Changes in the palms of the hands may predict cancer

Changes in the palms of the hands of elderly people can be a sign of cancer, say doctors.

Since the early 1980's doctors have reported a link between cancer and a condition called palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome (PFPAS) in the elderly. PFPAS is characterized by a curling or thickening of the palm of the hand and a swelling of the fingers that makes the hands look like they are made from wood.  

Richard Stratton and colleagues at London's Royal Free Hospital reported the case of a 74-year-old woman who had noticed lumpy areas developing in the palms of her hands in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Soon after visiting the hospital the woman's palms began to thicken, her fingers became swollen at the joints, and her hands began to contract. Dr Stratton diagnosed PFPAS, and because he was aware of its link to cancer he ran a series of tests on the woman, and she was subsequently found to have ovarian cancer.

PFPAS has been linked to cancers of the ovaries, prostate, breast, blood, lungs, and pancreas. The reason why such a link should exist is not entirely clear, however Stratton believes that connective tissue growth factor or CTGF might be a key factor. CTGF plays a role tumor cell migration, growth, survival, and metastasis, and high levels of CTGF – the elderly woman had abnormally high CTGF levels – may also cause excess growth of connective tissue in the palms.

Yogarajah M, Soh J, Lord B, Goddard N, Stratton R. Palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome: a sign of ovarian malignancy. J R Soc Med. 2008;101:473-475.