J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2006 Mar;10(1):43-46.

A Case of Pancreatic Cancer Presenting as Dermatomyositis

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Korea. choisw@uuh.ulsan.kr
  • 2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ulsan University Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Korea.
  • 3Department of Dermatology, Ulsan University Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Korea.
  • 4Department of Pathology, Ulsan University Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Korea.

Abstract

Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic, inflammatory myopathy characterized by proximal muscle weakness and cutaneous lesions. The association of malignancy with dermatomyositis is well established, especially with lung, breast, ovary, stomach, and colorectal cancers. The incidence of cancer appears to be increased especially in elderly person, and the prognosis is very poor. Malignancy may occur before the onset of dermatomyositis, concurrently, or afterward. Therefore extensive screening tests for an occult malignancy should be conducted in patient with dermatomyositis. We report a 76-year-old man presented with dermatomyositis and a search for possible occult malignancy found an otherwise asymptomatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma with massive lymph node metastasis.

Keyword

Dermatomyositis; Pancreas; Malignancy

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Aged
Breast
Colorectal Neoplasms
Dermatomyositis*
Female
Humans
Incidence
Lung
Lymph Nodes
Mass Screening
Muscle Weakness
Myositis
Neoplasm Metastasis
Ovary
Pancreas
Pancreatic Neoplasms*
Prognosis
Stomach
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