[Life-threatening polymyositis associated with non-seminomatous testicular cancer: a case report]

A 32-year-old man, who had been diagnosed with left testicular tumor and treated surgically at 30 years old, was diagnosed with recurrence of the testicular tumor by the elevation of tumor markers and para-aortic lymph node enlargement on computerized tomography. At the same time, creatine kinase was extremely elevated and he was diagnosed with polymyositis (PM). After systemic chemotherapy, the tumor markers improved. The symptoms of myopathy, however, became so severe that he developed aspiration pneumonia and required the temporary use of a ventilator. Using intravenous immunoglobulin and steroid pulse, the symptoms of PM improved. After the third chemotherapy session, the testicular tumor was in complete remission and he had no symptoms of polymyositis. After follow up for 7 years, there was no sign of recurrence of either testicular tumor or PM.