Amyopathic Dermatomyositis Associated With Transformed Malignant Lymphoma

Abstract

Amyopathic dermatomyositis is a disease of unknown origin characterized by the specific skin lesions of dermatomyositis but without clinical or laboratory evidence of myopathy. During the past 15 years, a great controversy between the different reports concerning a possible association of dermatomyositis with malignancy has been noted. In this report, the authors describe a patient with amyopathic dermatomyositis who presented first with a benign hyperplasia of the lymph node, which finally transformed into frank malignant lymphoma. In addition to follow-up care, screening tests to search for occult malignancy in patients with amyopathic dermatomyositis (or dermatomyositis) are recommended.