TWO OPERATED CASES OF MALIGNANT GASTROINTESTINAL TUMOR ASSOCIATING WITH DERMATOMYOSITIS

Two cases of malignant gastrointestinal tumor associating with dermatomyositis are described. Case 1: A 55-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of arthralgia of the extremities and decreased myodynamia. Erythema and Gottron syndrome on the face and chest as well as abnormally increased LDH and CPK levels were confirmed. A diagnosis of dermatomyositis was made and steroid therapy was started. After that, upper gastrointestinal series revealed an early gastric cancer of type IIc+III at the greater curvature of the angular notch. Operation was performed, and the cancer with the invasion depth of m without metastasis was found. After surgery symptomatic remission of dermatomyositis was observed, however, the patient died of renal failure 2 years and 6 months after surgery. Case 2: A 67-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of decreased myodynamia of the lower extremities and sense of remainder of stool. Erythema and heriotrope eruption on the face were confirmed. LDH and CPK showed abnormally high levels. From these facts and biopsy of the muscle, a diagnosis of dermatomyositis was made. With barium enema simultaneously performed, a rectal cancer was found. While steroids were given to the patient, operation was carried out. It was an advanced cancer of invasion depth of ai. After surgery dermatomyositis symptoms disappeared, but she died of pneumonia 4 months after surgery. In these two cases, dermal symptoms disappeared after surgery for malignant tumor. Some possible correlation between malignant gastrointestinal tumor and dermatomyositis is suggested.