Dermatomyositis as a Paraneoplastic Syndrome Secondary to Carcinoma of Cervix: A Rare Clinical Association

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterized by symmetric proximal muscle weakness and distinctive cutaneous manifestations. It is frequently associated with underlying malignancies, making recognition of paraneoplastic features crucial. We report the case of a 61-year-old postmenopausal woman who presented with progressive proximal muscle weakness, dysphagia, and characteristic skin lesions over the face, neck, and extremities for 6 months. Thorough evaluation with serology, electromyography, and muscle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of DM. Further investigation revealed an underlying cervical mass, and biopsy established the diagnosis of non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (Stage IIB). The patient showed partial improvement with systemic corticosteroids and demonstrated significant clinical recovery in both muscle strength and dysphagia following concurrent chemoradiotherapy. This case highlights the importance of evaluating patients with new-onset DM for occult malignancy and underscores the rare but noteworthy association between DM and cervical carcinoma.