Paget's Disease of the Breast in a Patient with Amyopathic Dermatomyositis

Paraneoplastic Dermatomyositis with Cutaneous and Myopathic Disease Responsive to Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Therapy

Dermatomyositis is a myopathic or amyopathic autoimmune connective tissue disease that presents with classic dermatologic findings ranging from: poikilodermatous photosensitivity (shawl sign), eyelid edema and violaceous-pigmentation (heliotrope sign), lichenoid eruptions on the knuckles and elbows (Gottron's sign), periungual telangiectasias, and ragged cuticles (Samitz sign). Up to 30 percent of adult-onset cases of dermatomyositis may represent a paraneoplastic syndrome warranting a thorough work-up for malignancy. The authors present a case report of paraneoplastic dermatomyositis associated with triple negative, BRCA-1 positive, invasive intraductal carcinoma of the breast, whose myopathic and cuteanous symptoms were recalcitrant to high-dose corticosteroid therapy. Herein, the authors describe the first reported case of the use of an injectable adrenocorticotropic hormone agonist gel in a patient with myopathic paraneoplastic disease that achieved clinical resolution of both myopathic and cutaneous symptoms, but subseuqently developed significant hyperpigmentation of her face suspected to be secondary to a chemotherapeutic-induced pigmentary change which was augmented by adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy.

A rare case of severe myositis as paraneoplastic syndrome on breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Dermatomyositis and polymyositis are both types of idiopathic inflammatory myositis characterized by inflammation and weakness of proximal skeletal muscles and skin rash.

CASE

A 49-year-old Caucasian woman recently diagnosed with breast cancer classified as T1N2M0, stage IIIA, presenting skin rash associated with heliotrope and Gottron's papules. In addition, there was a progression to a severe reduction in proximal muscle strength with severe dysphagia. The initial treatment was conducted, and the patient recovered from all symptoms and followed adjuvant cancer management.

TREATMENT

At first, high dose of corticosteroid was administered as pulse therapy, and a radical mastectomy was indicated due to the severe symptoms of the paraneoplastic syndrome. Then chemotherapy and radiotherapy were applied, and oral corticoid associated with immunosupressive drug was administered for dermatomyositis control.

DISCUSSION

The association between myositis and an increased risk of cancer has been demonstrated over the years. This patient has a high probability of dermatomyositis diagnosis. The initial treatment with high dose of glucocorticoids may result in an improvement of muscle lesions. Second-line treatment with azathioprine, methotrexate, or cyclophosphamide may be required for aggressive disease. Removal of the cancer induces improvement of paraneoplastic syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Dermatomyositis can be a clinical manifestation of a paraneoplastic syndrome in patients with breast cancer. It is a rare diagnosis, and there is little evidence to guide treatment until now. It is possible to control the evolution of dermatomyositis with high doses of glucocorticoids in almost all cases; however, in severe cases of paraneoplastic syndrome, cancer treatment should start immediately.