Successful treatment for a patient with esophageal carcinoma that amalgamates with polymyositis: a case report

Abstract

Polymyositis is known to amalgamate with malignant tumor. Here, we report a case of successfully resected esophageal carcinoma that amalgamated with polymyositis. Moreover, this is a rare case of squamous cell carcinoma combined with Barrett’s adenocarcinoma. A 47-year-old man was admitted to a hospital because of progressive dysphagia and difficulty in walking. Laboratory data showed creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was elevated, and he was diagnosed with polymyositis. He was treated with steroids, and the symptoms were improved with decreased CPK. Endoscopic and pathological examination showed a squamous cell carcinoma (0-Ipl, SM2-3) combined with Barrett’s adenocarcinoma (0-IIa, M2) of the esophagus. Although we were concerned about postoperative complications associated with polymyositis, the postoperative course was good, with decreased steroid, and he was discharged on the 21st postoperative day. At 1.5 years after surgery, he reports no recurrence of polymyositis or esophageal cancer.