Dermatomyositis: a debilitating paraneoplastic phenomenon following a diagnosis of localised squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix

Floyd-Ellis, Victoria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6857-4404 and Taylor, Alexandra 2023. Dermatomyositis: a debilitating paraneoplastic phenomenon following a diagnosis of localised squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. BMJ Case Reports 16 (8) , e253640. 10.1136/bcr-2022-253640

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Abstract

This case report describes the management of a patient, recently diagnosed with Stage IIIC cervical cancer, presenting with significant proximal muscle weakness, dysphagia and cutaneous changes over the hands, knees and outer thighs bilaterally. Following multiple investigations, this clinical presentation was proven to be dermatomyositis as a paraneoplastic phenomenon, a rare diagnosis with cervical cancer. Improvement of the presenting symptoms followed commencement of radical chemoradiation to the primary tumour plus administration of high dose steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins. As demonstrated in this case, and accompanying literature review, dermatomyositis is a rare complication of cervical cancer but should be considered as urgent treatment of the underlying malignancy is imperative. Involving members of the multidisciplinary team, including dieticians and physiotherapists, is of utmost importance to optimise the patient’s recovery from such a debilitating diagnosis.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine
Publisher:	BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
ISSN:	1757-790X
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	26 April 2024
Date of Acceptance:	21 July 2023
Last Modified:	26 Apr 2024 13:25
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/167958

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