J Korean Geriatr Soc.
2006 Mar;10(1):43-46.
A Case of Pancreatic Cancer Presenting as Dermatomyositis
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Korea. choisw@uuh.ulsan.kr
- 2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ulsan University Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Korea.
- 3Department of Dermatology, Ulsan University Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Korea.
- 4Department of Pathology, Ulsan University Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Korea.
Abstract
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Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic, inflammatory myopathy characterized by proximal muscle weakness and cutaneous lesions. The association of malignancy with dermatomyositis is well established, especially with lung, breast, ovary, stomach, and colorectal cancers. The incidence of cancer appears to be increased especially in elderly person, and the prognosis is very poor. Malignancy may occur before the onset of dermatomyositis, concurrently, or afterward. Therefore extensive screening tests for an occult malignancy should be conducted in patient with dermatomyositis. We report a 76-year-old man presented with dermatomyositis and a search for possible occult malignancy found an otherwise asymptomatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma with massive lymph node metastasis.