Scleroderma
scleroderma, or systemic , is an rheumatic disease characterised by excessive production and accumulation of collagen, called , in the skin and internal organs and by injuries to small . There are two major subgroups of systemic sclerosis based on the extent of skin involvement: limited and . The limited form affects areas below, but not above, the elbows and knees with or without involvement of the face. The diffuse form also affects the skin above the elbows and knees and can also spread to the torso. Visceral organs, including the kidneys, heart, lungs, and tract can also be affected by the fibrotic process. is determined by the form of the disease and the extent of visceral involvement. Patients with limited systemic sclerosis have a better prognosis than those with the diffuse form. Death is most often caused by lung, heart, and kidney involvement. The risk of cancer is increased slightly.
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