A child with dermatomyositis and a suspicious lymphadenopathy.
Dermatomyositis (DM) in adults is frequently associated with cancer. In contrast, juvenile DM (JDM) is predominantly idiopathic and rarely reported with occult neoplasm. We describe a patient who presented with DM that was found to be a paraneoplastic manifestation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Although rare, paraneoplastic JDM must be suspected in the presence of unusual features such as elevated inflammatory markers or lymphadenopathy. Accurate clinical assessment including appropriate biopsies is needed before starting glucocorticoid therapy.
Martini
Giorgia
G
Department of Pediatrics, Pathology Institute, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. martini@pediatria.unipd.it
Calabrese
Fiorella
F
Biscaro
Francesca
F
Zulian
Francesco
F
D000293:Adolescent; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics
C099537:Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA 1; D012367:RNA, Viral