Dermatomyositis associated with the recurrence of transitional cell carcinomas and Kaposi's sarcoma

A 76-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of dermatomyositis (DM). Fourteen years earlier a transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder was diagnosed. Following repeated resections of the neoplasm, he was free of the disease for the last two years. Six weeks after starting treatment with steroids and azathioprine for DM, he has developed Kaposi's sarcoma of the skin which subsided upon discontinuation of the immunosuppressive drugs. Four months after the diagnosis of DM, a local recurrence of the bladder carcinoma was found. This patient illustrates the importance of a thorough search for neoplasms or recurrence in elderly patients with dermatomyositis. The case also emphasizes the need for caution in immunosuppressive treatment of autoimmune disorders in such patients. Still, discontinuation of these medications resulted in a significant improvement of the skin neoplasm.