Is lupus, the “immortal cancer”, a terminal illness?

Audit expert: Wang Xuejiang

Professor of Pathophysiology, Capital Medical University, PhD Supervisor

Recently, lupus erythematosus, which is called "immortal cancer" by netizens, has attracted widespread attention. When it comes to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, hereinafter referred to as lupus erythematosus), many people are afraid and regard it as "immortal cancer". What kind of disease is this? What are its symptoms? Is there an effective treatment?

Is lupus a skin disease?

Lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking its own tissues and organs, causing damage to multiple systems and organs in the body, such as the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, blood, and nervous system.

The disease is more common in women of childbearing age, with the incidence of female patients being nine times that of male patients.

Lupus erythematosus is a chronic disease that requires long-term drug treatment. Since the disease is currently incurable, it has been called the "immortal cancer", but most patients can effectively control their condition through regular treatment and live a normal life like ordinary people.

Why do people get lupus?

The cause and pathogenesis of lupus erythematosus are still unclear and may be related to genetic factors, environmental factors, sex hormones, etc.

Lupus erythematosus is not a genetic disease, but its pathogenesis does involve genetic factors. If a parent or immediate family member has the disease, the risk of other family members getting the disease is higher. However, heredity is only one of the risk factors, and not all genetic carriers will develop the disease.

Other triggers include viral infection, taking certain medications, exposure to certain chemicals, and abnormal estrogen levels.

Lupus erythematosus often occurs in women aged 20-40. Female hormones (estrogen) may play a role in the onset of lupus erythematosus. This is why many female patients experience worsening symptoms before menstruation or during pregnancy. The disease is not contagious and will not be transmitted from one person to another through skin contact, respiratory tract, etc.

What are the common symptoms of lupus?

The symptoms of lupus vary, and the signs and symptoms may change over time. The condition of different patients also varies greatly, and early symptoms are often atypical.

The butterfly-shaped rash on the face is one of the typical signs of lupus erythematosus, also known as "butterfly spots", which usually appear on the cheeks and nose bridge and are shaped like butterfly wings. This shape also reminds people of "being bitten by a wolf", hence the name "lupus".

Common symptoms of lupus also include stiff and painful joints, hair loss, fatigue, fever, fingers or toes turning white or purple in the cold (Raynaud's phenomenon), sensitivity to sunlight, dry eyes, etc.

Lupus may also cause damage to multiple systems and organs, such as kidney, central nervous system, blood, lung and heart problems, etc. Among them, kidney damage is one of the serious symptoms and can lead to renal failure.

Can lupus be prevented?

Since the pathogenesis is still unclear, there is no specific preventive measure for this disease. However, doctors believe that keeping a healthy schedule, ensuring adequate sleep, eating regularly, and avoiding long-term fatigue can help maintain a normal immune system.

In the past, lupus erythematosus was considered an immortal cancer because of its multi-system involvement and high mortality rate.

However, with the rapid development of rheumatology and immunology, lupus erythematosus can be well controlled, and some measures can be taken to effectively reduce the activity and recurrence of lupus. In addition to special emphasis on avoiding ultraviolet rays, most lupus patients can have the same quality of life as healthy people.

Is lupus a terminal illness?

With the advancement of medicine and the optimization of treatment options, this disease has gradually become a controllable chronic disease. Early intervention and personalized management are the key to improving prognosis. Most patients can return to normal life after systematic treatment, and the 10-year survival rate can reach more than 90%.

Treatment drugs include glucocorticoids, antimalarial drugs, classical immunosuppressants, biological agents and other drugs. Doctors will develop personalized medication plans based on individual differences of patients. There are also a variety of innovative drugs targeting new targets in the research and development stage, which has opened up new avenues for the treatment of lupus erythematosus.

References:

CCTV.com "My daughter got sick, and my father's hair turned white overnight! What exactly is lupus erythematosus?"

Shenzhen Health Commission: "Systemic lupus erythematosus is an immune disease, not a skin disease"