Kivonat:
Idiopathic inflammatory myositis is characterized by progressive
weakness of the proximal muscles. There is a higher risk of
malignancy than in the normal population. The aim of this study
was to evaluate the frequency of malignancy among 251 myositis
patients. We also compared clinical and immunological
characteristics of cancer-associated myositis with primary
myositis. There were no malignancies among polymyositis,
overlap, or juvenile myositis patients. Twenty-two of ninety
dermatomyositis patients also had a malignant disease. Patients
with cancer-associated dermatomyositis were significantly older
than primary myositis patients and had more severe cutaneous and
muscle symptoms. Dysphagia and diaphragmatic involvement were
more frequent among cancer-associated patients, while
extramuscular features were less frequent. After successful
treatment of the malignancy, we were able to manage myositis
symptoms. One-year survival rate was significantly better in
primary dermatomyositis patients. The subset of cancer-
associated myositis differs from primary myositis in many
aspects of its clinical and immunological features. Prognosis
and life expectancy in cancer-associated myositis patients is
determined by the underlying malignant disease. Therefore, age-
and sex-specific examinations for detection of an underlying
malignancy are important in the management of patients with
dermatomyositis.
