1990 Volume 52 Issue 2 Pages 231-236
A case of dermatomyositis with gastric carcinoma is reported. A 61-year-old female developed erythematous eruptions in sun-exposed areas associated with muscle weakness. At the same time carcinoma of the stomach was discovered. Following steroid therapy, a subtotal gastrectomy was performed, which seemed to improve the skin eruptions but did not improve muscle ability. The tumor recurred and metastasized 7 months later. The patient eventually died of disseminated carcinomatosis. Autopsy cases of dermato- and polymyositis compiled in Nippon Boken Shuho from 1975 until 1986 were studied to assess the incidence of malignancy. The total number of cases was 615. One hundred and sixty-three had malignancy (26.5%): 86 for males (35.1%) and 76 for females (20.6%). Dermatomyositis (30.5%) had a higher incidence of malignancy than polymyositis (19.8%). Stomach cancer was most frequently associated (27.8%), however the rate was less than those reported previously. In contrast, lung, ovary and thyroid gland malignancies were more common compared to previous reports.
