Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus: A facultative paraneoplastic dermatosis

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) is a photosensitive dermatosis characterized by a nonscarring papulosquamous eruption and specific antibodies in the patient's serum. Genetic and environmental factors represent the leading causes of SCLE; however, several case reports in the literature link SCLE to various types of cancer. This review assesses the association between SCLE and neoplastic disorders. A PubMed search was performed for all relevant publications on cancer-associated SCLE from 1982 to 2022. This review supports the hypothesis that SCLE should be considered a facultative paraneoplastic phenomenon. It also emphasizes the importance of cancer screening in patients presenting SCLE manifestations.