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Dermatomyositis associated with breast cancer
Dimitrios Pectasides1, Maria Koumpou, Asimina Gaglia
1Second Department of Internal Medicine-Propaedeutic, Oncology Section, University Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece. pectasid@otenet.gr
Anticancer Research
|July 11, 2006
Summary
Patients with dermatomyositis (DM) face an elevated risk of cancer, even at younger ages. This risk persists long-term, with breast cancer being a notable, though not the most common, associated malignancy.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Oncology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Dermatomyositis (DM) is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.
- An association between DM and malignancy is well-established.
- The risk of cancer in DM patients persists for years post-diagnosis.
Observation:
- This report details two new cases of DM associated with breast cancer.
- Breast carcinoma is not the most frequent solid tumor linked to DM.
- The risk of malignancy in DM is elevated across all age groups, including those 45 or younger.
Findings:
- DM patients exhibit a significantly increased risk of developing underlying cancers.
- The heightened cancer risk in DM patients, including breast cancer, persists for many years.
- Early-onset DM (age 45 or younger) also carries an increased malignancy risk.
Implications:
- Increased vigilance for malignancy screening is crucial in DM patients.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms linking DM and breast cancer.
- Timely diagnosis and management of associated cancers can improve patient outcomes.
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