Surgery for Esophageal Cancer associated with Dermatomyositis: A Case Study

Takeshi Nagano, Toshiaki Tanaka, Susumu Sueyoshi*, Yuichi Tanaka, Satoru Matono, Kohei Nishimura, Kazutaka Murata, Kazuo Shirouzu and Hiromasa Fujita

Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine
Department of Surgery, Omuta City General Hospital*

A 67-year-old man with erythema on the hands and face and adynamia of the extremities was found to be positive for anti Jo-1 antibody and diagnosed with dermatomyositis. Gastrointestinal endoscopy for cancer showed squamous cell carcinoma in the middle thoracic esophagus, necessitating esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy through right thoracotomy. Pathological examination of the resected specimen confirmed a poorly-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, pStage IVa (pT3N4M0). He underwent adjuvant cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy, during the first course of which dermatomyositis skin symptoms such as pigmented discoloration and itching on both hands recurred. Symptoms were relieved by discontinuing chemotherapy. After esophageal cancer reccurence, dermatomyositis symptoms recurred. The man died 14 months after surgery. Dermatomyositis is often associated with malignant tumor, and its symptoms correlate with cancer progression.

Key words
esophageal cancer, dermatomyositis

Reprint requests
Takeshi Nagano Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine
67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011 JAPAN

Accepted
June 18, 2009

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