Benign mucous membrane pemphigoid of the upper aero-digestive tract: rare paraneoplastic syndrome presentation in renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Benign mucous membrane pemphigoid is a rare autoimmune disorder affecting the upper aero-digestive tract and conjunctivae. This is a case presentation of benign mucous membrane pemphigoid affecting the oral mucosa, pharynx, oesophagus and larynx, leading to cicatricial lesions in the pharynx and larynx, causing dysphagia, hoarseness and stridor. The alternative forms of management for laryngeal scarring due to this disease are explained. The patient was later diagnosed with advanced renal cell carcinoma, raising the possibility of cicatricial pemphigoid manifesting as a paraneoplastic syndrome of underlying renal cell carcinoma.