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Abstract
Introduction/Background Ovarian cancer can present with various manifestations, and when it does, the disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Nevertheless, we should be aware of atypical presentations that allow us to diagnose the primary tumor, as is the case with dermatomyositis (DM), a type of inflammatory myopathy. An association has been observed between paraneoplastic dermatomyositis (20–30%) (PDM) and certain hematologic, colon, ovarian, and breast tumors. In addition, a link has been recently established between the presence of specific autoantibodies, anti-TIF1γ and anti-NXP2, and PMD.
Methodology The objective is to describe patients with PDM and their association with gynecological cancers in a case series.
A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted, including all patients diagnosed with DM in our hospital who tested positive for anti-TIF1γ and anti-NXP2 between 2016 and 2023. A review of the medical history was performed to identify patients with gynecological pathology.
Results Eighteen patients with DM were included, with 88.9% being female. Among these patients, 44.44% had DM related to an active neoplastic process. Of these, two had breast tumors and two, ovarian tumors (Image 1) with a mean age of 66.75 years. Regarding the association of PDM with the two autoantibodies, 75% were associated with anti-TIF1γ, and 25% with anti-NXP2. There were 2 deaths related to the active oncological process, both patients with ovarian cancer.
Conclusion DM can be the initial manifestation of a gynecological tumor which is associated with a poorer prognosis and a more rapid disease progression, particularly in ovarian cancer. Early recognition of PDM as an indicator of gynecological cancers can lead to an earlier diagnosis, which is crucial given the significant impact on prognosis. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended for the follow-up of these patients.
Disclosures All of the authors of the present manuscript declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
CT scan of 1 patient showing a multilocular ovarian tumor and dermatological manifestations