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[Dermatomyositis with tonsillar carcinoma. Rare presentation as paraneoplastic syndrome]
E Scholz1, D Trebing, S Knipping
1Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Plastische Operationen, Städtisches Klinikum Dessau, Dessau, Deutschland, escholz@gzbiwo.de.
Background:
Malignant tumors occur in up to 15 % of patients with paraneoplastic syndromes. The temporal association between malignancy and paraneoplasia is variable. Dermatomyositis belongs to the facultative cutaneous paraneoplasia.
Case Report:
A patient presented with a cervical swelling and preexisting dermatomyositis. Staging revealed a tonsillar carcinoma with cervical, mediastinal and bone metastasis, and meningeal carcinomatosis. Systemic intrathecal chemotherapy was initiated.
Conclusion:
Dermatomyositis has only been described four times worldwide as a paraneoplastic disease with tonsillar carcinoma. Upon occurrence of a paraneoplastic syndrome, an intensive search for tumours is required at regular intervals until the primary tumor is diagnosed.
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