Dermatomyositis and female malignancy

All cases of dermatomyositis-polymyositis in women seen between 1970 and 1977 at Baylor Affiliated Hospitals were reviewed. Twenty-five patients were identified with this diagnosis. Of these women, 5 were found to have a malignant tumor: 3 ovarian carcinomas, 1 cervical intraepithelial carcinoma, and 1 colon carcinoma. Pertinent histologic and clinical findings in patients with dermatomyositis-polymyositis are discussed. The high prevalence of malignancy in these patients, previously recognized, is discussed. A case report is presented.