DERMATOMYOSITIS UNMASKING HIDDEN BREAST CARCINOMA: A CASE REPORT

Dermatomyositis is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by muscle weakness and skin abnormalities. It is associated with malignancy in 15 to 30% of cases. We present the case of a 73-year-old female patient who initially presented with itchy purplish skin lesions, photosensitivity and oral ulcers. The patient also complained of difficulty in standing, joint pain of the shoulders, knees and ankles, but no joint swelling or morning stiffness. Relevant investigations revealed a surprising discovery of underlying left breast carcinoma, which was asymptomatic. This case highlights the importance of recognizing dermatomyositis as a paraneoplastic syndrome and its potential to unmask hidden malignancies. Dermatomyositis has long been recognized as a paraneoplastic syndrome, meaning that it can precede the clinical manifestation of an underlying malignancy. In this case, the patients initial presentation with dermatomyositis-related skin and muscle symptoms served as a sentinel sign, alerting clinicians to investigate further. The patient responded positively to treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone and was subsequently referred for further management of the breast carcinoma.