Diseases of the connective tissue
The connective tissue has numerous components, the alteration of which can lead to various diseases. These can be genetic, triggered by autoimmune processes or caused by deficiencies such as vitamin C. A hardening of the connective tissue, known in medical terminology as scleroderma. This is an autoimmune disease in which the connective tissue becomes increasingly hardened.
The exact causes of hardening of the connective tissue have not yet been sufficiently clarified. However, there are several factors that can influence the causes of hardening of the connective tissue. On the one hand, a genetic predisposition plays a major role.
On the other hand, a connection between cancer and hardening of the connective tissue is suspected. Furthermore, environmental factors such as the handling of chemicals at work play a decisive role. Furthermore, antibodies against certain receptors, i.e.
docking sites of growth factors, i.e. specialized proteins, are associated with the disease of connective tissue hardening. Cancer of the connective tissue falls under the term soft tissue tumours. This term refers to tumours of different tissues, such as connective tissue or muscles.
The majority of these soft tissue tumours are benign. The very rare malignant form is called soft tissue sarcoma. The causes of its development are still unexplained in medicine.
However, certain risk factors such as asbestos or previous exposure to radiation are suspected. A genetic predisposition can also play a significant role. In most cases, however, it is not possible to find any causes for the development of the soft tissue tumour.
The most common and most important symptom of soft tissue sarcoma is a persistent, i.e. lasting, rapidly growing and painful swelling, which is usually larger than 5 cm. If these criteria apply, it is advisable to consult a doctor for advice. Nevertheless, it is very important to note that the incidence of soft tissue sarcoma in connective tissue is very low in Germany.
Rheumatism is not an independent clinical picture, but describes a variety of different diseases. These are inflammations, pain in ligaments, tendons, joints, bones or in the connective tissue and complaints of the musculoskeletal system. Rheumatism, which takes place in the connective tissue, is counted among the collagenoses, a type of connective tissue disease.
Collagenous connective tissue can be found in the body in muscles, tendons, skin, bones or cartilage and gives the connective tissues their stability and structure. Collagenoses are autoimmune diseases in which the body’s defence is directed against the connective tissue cells. The connective tissue is therefore not the direct site of origin of rheumatism, but plays a decisive role in this collective term of various diseases.
