Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is a diffuse connective tissue disorder characterized by fibrosis and vascular obliteration of small arteries and microvessels in the skin, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, heart and kidneys. Its cause is unknown and treatment is often frustrating, but there are some clues and some success is possible, particularly when treatment is initiated in the early stages of the disease. The purpose of this multi-contributor book is to facilitate an understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this unpleasant disease by describing the curent state of knowledge of the tissue changes that underly systemic sclerosis.