Polymyositis associated with symptomless nasopharyngeal carcinoma

We describe a 42-year-old Chinese patient with polymyositis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The polymyositis was complicated by respiratory failure needing mechanical ventilation despite conventional therapy. Treatment of the carcinoma was associated with recovery of muscle strength. To our knowledge this is the first reported association of polymyositis with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.