Vesicle formation in dermatomyositis associated with gynecologic malignancies

Clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer patients with dermatomyositis and analysis of perioperative management: a case series study

Background

This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of gastric cancer (GC) patients with dermatomyositis (DM) and summarize the perioperative outcomes.

Methods

The clinical and pathological data of five patients diagnosed with co-occurring DM and GC (DM-GC group) were retrospectively analyzed, who were admitted to the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery at Ren ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, between January 2012 and April 2023. Their data were compared with 618 GC patients (GC-1 group) from September 2016 to August 2017 and 35 GC patients who were meticulously screened from 14,580 GC cases from January 2012 and April 2023. The matching criteria included identical gender, age, tumor location, TNM stage, and surgical procedure (7 GC patients were matched for each DM-GC patient).

Results

Analysis indicated that the DM-GC group comprised four female and one male patient. The female proportion was significantly higher (P = 0.032) than that of GC-1 group. In DM-GC group, four DM patients were diagnosed as GC within 12 months. One DM patients was diagnosed as GC within 15 months. Among them, four patients presented with varying degrees of skin rashes, muscle weakness while one patient had elevated CK levels as the typical symptom. Similarly, the preoperative tumor markers (CA-199 and CA-125) in the DM-GC group were significantly higher than normal levels (CA-199: 100 vs. 28.6%, P = 0.002; CA-125: 40 vs. 2.9%, P = 0.003) compared to GC-2 group. Moreover, postoperative complication incidence and the length of hospital stay were significantly higher in the DM-GC than GC-2 group [complication rate: 40 vs. 8.6%, P = 0.047; hospital stay: 15 days (range: 9-28) vs. 9 days (range: 8-10), P = 0.021].

Conclusion

GC Patients with dermatomyositis are more prone to experience postoperative complications and longer hospital stay.

Dermatomyositis and/or polymyositis as a paraneoplastic manifestation of ovarian cancer: a systematic review

Dermatomyositis (DM) is defined as an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the skin, the blood vessels and the muscles. It typically presents with erythema affecting mostly the eyes and the hands as well as proximal muscle weakness. It has been also correlated with various types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. A systematic PubMed and Scopus search was conducted. A total of 110 women were included in our review. The median age of the patients was 52.5 years (8-85). The most frequent histological type of malignancy was epithelial (87 cases, 79.1%) and in only one patient (0.9%) DM was co-existing with a cancer recurrence. A clinical diagnosis of DM or PM preceded the diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 69.1% (76/110), while paraneoplastic DM after the diagnosis of ovarian cancer was reported in 31% (34/110). Serum antibodies were present in 22.5% (25/110) and the median creatine kinase during first evaluation was 886 (56.6-16,596). Postoperative improvement of the symptoms was observed in 24.6% (27/110) while also 24.6% (27/110) needed post-treatment rheumatological management. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was necessary in 58.2% (64/110) and a cancer recurrence was identified in 28.2% (31/110), with a median follow up of 24.5 months (5-210). Finally, 52 (47.3%) deaths were reported in a median follow-up period of 16 months (0-210). It is crucial that DM patients should receive a thorough evaluation for ovarian cancer, among other malignancies, encompassing an abdominal CT or MRI scan and serum Ca-125 marker measurements. Treatment of ovarian cancer is usually accompanied by remission of DM symptoms in most of the cases.

Dermatomyositis: Histopathologic findings of parakeratosis and dermal edema revisited

The cutaneous manifestations of dermatomyositis range from classical in the case of heliotrope rash and Gottron papules to less common papulosquamous and edematous/vesiculobullous lesions; histopathologic descriptions are dominated by interface dermatitis. We present a case of dermatomyositis with a combination of common and rare skin findings, both clinically and histologically. Increased awareness of papulosquamous and edematous lesions of dermatomyositis can help direct patient care. Although uncommon, confluent parakeratosis and dermal edema can be manifestations of dermatomyositis.

Cutaneous Manifestations in Dermatomyositis: Key Clinical and Serological Features-a Comprehensive Review

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a common idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. The pathogenesis is considered to be microangiopathy affecting skin and muscle. The cutaneous manifestations of DM are the most important aspect of this disease, and their correct evaluation is important for early diagnosis. The skin signs are various: Some are pathognomonic or highly characteristic, and others are compatible with DM. Recently, DM has been categorized into several disease subsets based on the various autoantibodies present in patients. Sometimes, characteristic cutaneous manifestations are strongly associated with the presence of specific autoantibodies. For example, anti-Mi-2 antibody is associated with the classic features of DM, including heliotrope rash, Gottron's papules, the V-neck sign, the shawl sign, cuticular overgrowth, and photosensitivity. Frequent cutaneous features in anti-transcriptional intermediary factor 1 gamma (TIF1γ)-positive patients are diffuse photoerythema, including "dusky red face," while skin ulcerations, palmar papules (inverse Gottron), diffuse hair loss, panniculitis, and oral pain and/or ulcers are sometimes associated with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 product (MDA5) antibody. Here, we review important cutaneous manifestations seen in patients with DM, and we examine the relationship between the skin changes and myositis-associated autoantibodies. Correct evaluation of cutaneous manifestations and myositis-associated autoantibodies should help the clinician in the early diagnosis of DM, for a quick recognition of cutaneous signs that may be the symptom of onset before muscle inflammation.

Ascending Colon Cancer Associated with Dermatomyositis Which Was Cured after Colon Resection

A 76-year-old woman with muscle ache, weakness of the extremities, and skin rash was diagnosed with dermatomyositis (DM). Upon the diagnosis of DM, a systemic survey of malignancy revealed an advanced carcinoma of the ascending colon. The patient underwent right hemicolectomy approximately 2 months after the onset of DM. The symptoms and signs of DM disappeared after the surgery without additional therapy. DM is an idiopathic systemic inflammatory disease characterized by muscle ache, muscle weakness, and skin rash. In some cases, DM develops as paraneoplastic syndrome, and it is assumed that 30% of DM patients have cancer. Symptoms and signs of DM can be attenuated by treatment of the malignancy, and they reappear if the malignancy recurs. It is essential to perform a systemic survey of malignancy in DM patients, and treatment of the malignancy has to precede treatment of DM.

Dermatomyositis with a pityriasis rubra pilaris-like eruption: an uncommon cutaneous manifestation in dermatomyositis

A pityriasis rubra pilaris-like eruption has been described in patients with dermatomyositis. We describe an 11-year-old girl with dermatomyositis who had additional clinical findings of pityriasis rubra pilaris. Over a year, she developed muscle weakness, increasing fatigue, and a markedly elevated creatinine kinase level in addition to her cutaneous eruption and was seen in our clinic for these complaints. A year earlier, when a generalized, scaly erythematous eruption had appeared, she had been diagnosed as pityriasis rubra pilaris clinically and histopathologically. Dermatologic examination found scaling erythematous plaques involving the trunk and upper and lower extremities. Islands of unaffected skin were intermingled with erythematous plaques that were characteristic of pityriasis rubra pilaris. A skin biopsy specimen showed the findings of dermatomyositis and that diagnosis was made. The laboratory findings, electromyographic pattern, and muscle biopsy were also consistent with dermatomyositis. Her presentation is interesting, as she had been diagnosed as pityriasis rubra pilaris both clinically and histopathologically 1 year earlier and, although the cutaneous lesions had not changed, a diagnosis of dermatomyositis was made a year later.

Dermatomyositis following the diagnosis of ovarian cancer

We present a case history of a woman who developed dermatomyositis following the diagnosis of stage IV ovarian cancer. Dermatomyositis is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome that usually precedes the diagnosis of ovarian cancer by several months or years. Ours is the fifth reported case of dermatomyositis after an established diagnosis of ovarian cancer in the literature.

Vesiculobullous dermatomyositis with panniculitis without muscle disease

Vesicles and bullae formation is rare in dermatomyositis. We describe a 60-year-old woman who presented with vesiculobullous dermatomyositis with panniculitis and no muscle disease.

Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis is one of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies with characteristic cutaneous manifestations including the heliotrope rash, Gottron's papules, cuticular changes including periungual telangiectasia, a photodistributed erythema or poikiloderma, and a scaly alopecia. Dermatomyositis has been linked to cancer, particularly ovarian cancer. Cancer-associated disease is more commonly found in older patients, and when present, is associated with a poor prognosis. A childhood form of the disease exists and is frequently complicated by the development of calcinosis. Dermatomyositis is a systemic disorder and whereas the skin and muscles are the most commonly affected organs, patients may have arthralgias, arthritis, oesophageal disease, or cardiopulmonary dysfunction. Recently described serological abnormalities, known as myositis-specific antibodies, add credence to the notion that this disorder is distinct from all other collagen-vascular diseases, and may lead to important discoveries about the pathogenesis of the inflammatory myopathies, which are not currently of practical use in the clinic or office. Management of the patient with myositis usually includes systemic corticosteroids with or without an immunosuppressive agent. Cutaneous disease is more difficult to manage, but antimalarials, methotrexate, and intravenous immunoglobulin are effective in small, often open-label, studies.

Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis is a rare inflammatory myopathy with characteristic skin manifestations and muscular weakness. The disease can be categorized as adult idiopathic, juvenile, or amyopathic dermatomyositis as well as that associated with a connective tissue disease or a malignancy. Immunologic factors are most likely involved in the pathogenesis of the disease; however, genetic and environmental issues may also play important roles. Treatment with immunosuppressive agents has proved successful in the majority of patients, although significant morbidity still occurs.