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Rapidly lethal dermatomyositis associated with cutaneous lymphangitis carcinomatosa
Cristina Resende1, Catarina Araújo, Maria Luz Duarte
1Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal. cristinapresende@gmail.com
BMJ Case Reports
|June 14, 2013
Summary
Dermatomyositis (DM) can be a rapidly fatal disease, as illustrated by a case of cutaneous lymphangitis carcinomatosa. This rare paraneoplastic syndrome highlights the aggressive potential of DM.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Dermatomyositis (DM) is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.
- Paraneoplastic syndromes can manifest with various cutaneous findings.
- Cutaneous lymphangitis carcinomatosa is a rare manifestation of metastatic adenocarcinoma.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old woman with newly diagnosed DM presented with painful, erythematous plaques and nodules.
- A skin biopsy revealed cutaneous lymphangitis carcinomatosa, suggesting an underlying malignancy.
- Extensive workup failed to identify the primary tumor site.
Findings:
- The patient received palliative chemotherapy but experienced disease progression.
- The patient died 6 months after initial presentation.
- This case represents a potential novel association between DM and cutaneous lymphangitis carcinomatosa.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for DM to be a rapidly lethal condition.
- The association between DM and cutaneous lymphangitis carcinomatosa warrants further investigation.
- Early recognition and management of paraneoplastic syndromes in DM are crucial.
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