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Colon cancer presenting with polymyositis-A case report
O Rominiyi1, D M Broman, R Rajaganeshan
1Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.
International Journal of Surgery Case Reports
|November 19, 2011
Summary
Colorectal cancer can rarely manifest as polymyositis, a condition causing muscle weakness. Elderly patients with polymyositis symptoms should be evaluated for underlying colon cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Colorectal cancer commonly presents with changes in bowel habits, weight loss, or rectal bleeding.
- Polymyositis, an inflammatory myopathy causing muscle weakness, is rarely associated with colorectal cancer.
- Malignancy is a known, though infrequent, cause of polymyositis, particularly in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the rare presentation of colorectal cancer as polymyositis.
- To review the literature on the association between polymyositis and malignancy.
- To emphasize the importance of considering cancer in elderly patients with polymyositis symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Case report of an 82-year-old male with metastatic colon cancer presenting with fatigue and muscle weakness.
- Literature review on the relationship between polymyositis and cancer.
Main Results:
- The patient was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer after presenting with symptoms suggestive of polymyositis.
- The literature review explored the established link between polymyositis and underlying malignancies.
Conclusions:
- Colorectal cancer can present atypically with muscle weakness mimicking polymyositis.
- Diagnosing polymyositis in the elderly warrants a high index of suspicion for occult malignancy.
- Awareness of this paraneoplastic syndrome is crucial for timely cancer diagnosis.
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