1992 Volume 25 Issue 9 Pages 2354-2358
A case of esophageal carcinoma associated with dermatomyositis is presented. The patient was a 66 year-old man who had suffered from dermatomyositis since 1986. Because of mild pain on swallowing, esophagography and esophagoscopy were performed in May 1988, and carcinoma of the upper third of the esophagus was disclosed. He refused surgical treatment at that time, and no treatment was given for his carcinoma. His dermatomyositis had improved despite progression of his carcinoma, and he needed only a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. He agreed to receive an esophagectomy in November 1989. Pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma spreading from the lower to the upper esophagus and invading the adventitia. Metastases were found in the para-esophageal and subcarinal lymph nodes. The post-operative course was uneventful, and his dermatomyositis seemed to be in complete remission without medication. He survived for 14 months, and died of recurrence of the carcinoma.
