Acute dermatomyositis-polymyositis and malignancy

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Oncology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Dermatomyositis with malignancy (AD-P) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome.
• The association between AD-P and malignancy has been documented since 1916.
• Clinical presentation of AD-P with malignancy is consistent across various tumor types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and present data on AD-P associated with malignancy.
• To highlight the consistent clinical findings in AD-P with malignancy.
• To discuss the potential for future differentiation between AD-P, polymyositis, and other malignancy-associated syndromes.

Main Methods:

• Review of published case reports of AD-P associated with malignancy.
• Inclusion of 15 unreported cases of AD-P with malignancy.
• Analysis of clinical data, including muscle weakness, skin lesions, and tumor type.

Main Results:

• The association of AD-P with malignancy has a long history, with numerous cases reported.
• Clinical findings in AD-P with malignancy, such as proximal muscle weakness and skin lesions, are remarkably consistent.
• A minority of AD-P patients with malignancy may lack prominent skin lesions, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring.

Conclusions:

• AD-P associated with malignancy presents with consistent clinical features, primarily proximal muscle weakness and skin manifestations.
• Distinguishing AD-P from polymyositis and other malignancy-associated syndromes may require future identification of specific immunologic markers.
• Management challenges in AD-P and polymyositis are similar, particularly when associated with malignancy.