[Dermatomyositis as a marker of lung cancer]

A 76-year-old female was referred because of violaceous dermatitis on sun-exposed skin. She had associated muscle weakness, dysphagia, dysarthria and reported an unintended weight loss. The clinical presentation gave a suspicion of dermatomyositis, and diagnostic procedures revealed a small-cell lung cancer. She was treated with prednisolone, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Despite intended curative treatment, she died of the cancer six months later. This case emphasizes the importance of a thorough examination for an underlying cancer, in patients diagnosed with dermatomyositis.