[Dermatomyositis and rectal cancer: case study and literature review].

Abstract

Dermatomyositis is a systemic idiopathic disease characterized by a combination of both muscle and skin symptoms. It is a paraneoplastic dermatosis. Its association with rectal cancer has been rarely described in the literature. We here report the case of a female patient with paraneoplastic dermatomyositis associated with metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma presenting with clinical symptoms commonly found in subjects with paraneoplastic dermatomyositis. Other complementary examinations (CPK test + EMG + skin biopsy) were performed which confirmed this diagnosis. The patient underwent chemotherapy, but after the second cycle, she experienced a rapid worsening of her general condition and died after some days in a state of multisystem organ failure. This study aims to highlight paraneoplastic dermatomyositis' aggressive nature and to update current knowledge on the importance of chemotherapy in the management of neoplastic dermatomyositis.

• Authors: Hajar Ouahbi, Meriem Benhami, Lamiae Nouikh, Nissrine Acharfi, Awatef Kelati, Karima Oualla, Zineb Benbrahim, Fatima Zahra Elmrabet, Samia Arifi, Fatimazohra Mernissi, Nawfel Mellas
• Journal: The Pan African medical journal (Pan Afr Med J) Vol. 33 Pg. 122 ( 2019) ISSN: 1937-8688 [Electronic] Uganda
• Vernacular Title: Dermatomyosite et cancer rectal: à propos d’un cas avec revue de la littérature.
• PMID: 31558922 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (diagnosis, pathology)
• Aged
• Biopsy
• Dermatomyositis (diagnosis, etiology)
• Fatal Outcome
• Female
• Humans
• Multiple Organ Failure (etiology)
• Paraneoplastic Syndromes (diagnosis, etiology)
• Rectal Neoplasms (diagnosis, pathology)