[Regression of primary melanoma with metastases associated with amyopathic dermatomyositis]

Dermatomyositis is a rare and serious inflammatory connective tissue disease characterized by a typical cutaneous rash and myopathy. Amyopathic dermatomyositis is a particular form of dermatomyositis involving only cutaneous signs and without myopathy present for over 2 years.

A 48 year-old woman presented with a 3-year history of cutaneous rash without myopathy characteristic of amyopathic dermatomyositis. Clinical examination revealed extensive axillary adenopathy, histological examination of which suggested secondary melanoma. The patient reported a black nevus in the axillary area that had disappeared 1 year earlier. Curettage of the lymph node was negative and the patient was treated with interferon (3M 3 times a week). Regression of the cutaneous signs was noted.

The data, there have been no other reports of paraneoplastic amyopathic dermatomyositis associated with regression of primary melanoma. The literature contains few reports of dermatomyositis associated with melanoma. Amyopathic dermatomyositis may be associated with malignancy.