What types of arthritis can be associated with carcinomas of the esophagus and colon?
- Carcinomatous polyarthritis can be the presenting feature of an occult malignancy of the GI tract.
- The arthritis is typically acute in onset and asymmetric and predominantly involves lower extremity joints while sparing the small joints of the hands and wrists.
- Patients have an elevated ESR and a negative rheumatoid factor.
- Another type of arthritis associated with colorectal malignancy is septic arthritis caused by Streptococcus bovis .
