Panniculitis associated with dermatomyositis and recurrent ovarian cancer

Sasha D Girouard1, Nicole F Velez, Richard T Penson

  • 1Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.

Abstract

Insights

Panniculitis, a rare skin condition in dermatomyositis (DM), can occur with ovarian cancer. Methotrexate showed promise in treating this rare DM complication.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Oncology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Panniculitis is a rare skin manifestation of dermatomyositis (DM), presenting as painful nodules.
  • Its association with malignancy and prognostic significance in DM remain unclear due to limited case reports.

Observation:

  • A patient with DM and recurrent ovarian adenocarcinoma presented with subcutaneous nodules.
  • Histology confirmed lymphoplasmacytic panniculitis with dermal mucin deposition, indicative of lobular panniculitis associated with connective tissue disease.

Findings:

  • This case highlights DM-associated panniculitis in the context of ovarian adenocarcinoma and recurrent malignancy.
  • Oral methotrexate led to sustained clinical improvement over a 10-month period.

Implications:

  • Panniculitis in DM may not always indicate a better prognosis, especially when associated with malignancy.
  • Methotrexate appears to be a potentially effective treatment for DM-associated panniculitis.

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