Paraneoplastic Dermatomyositis Revealing the Metastatic Progression of an Undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Case Report From Northern Morocco

TL;DR

A case report shows that dermatomyositis can signal the return of nasopharyngeal cancer, highlighting the link between muscle disease and cancer progression.

Contribution

This case report highlights the rare but significant association between dermatomyositis and metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression.

Findings

Dermatomyositis can reveal the metastatic progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Early recognition of dermatomyositis in cancer survivors may improve clinical outcomes.

The link between dermatomyositis and nasopharyngeal cancer is notable in high-incidence regions.

Abstract

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an inflammatory disease of striated muscles and skin that can occur sporadically or rarely be associated with malignancy, thereby serving as a potential clinical indicator or harbinger of underlying cancer. Knowing the pathognomonic, clinical, and biological features of DM plays a pivotal role in its recognition. Its correlation with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is particularly prevalent in regions where the incidence of NPC is notably high, underscoring the intricate interplay between immune dysregulation and oncogenesis.

Specially, in the context of patients previously treated for NPC, the emergence of DM raises the clinical suspicion of metastatic progression or recurrence of the cancer. Thus, early recognition of DM-associated paraneoplastic syndromes can facilitate prompt intervention and optimize patient outcomes. We present a case of metastatic progression in a patient treated for NPC, revealed by the pathognomonic, clinical, and biological signs of DM.

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