DISSCUSSION
The correlation between inflammatory myopathies and the occurrence of cancer has been recognized for almost a century, yet its interpretation and importance have remained ambiguous(11). Hill and colleagues have published a comprehensive dataset that provides substantial evidence regarding the association between myositis and malignancy(12). A total of 618 individuals with dermatomyositis and 914 individuals with polymyositis were successfully identified in the study. The incidence of cancer was observed in approximately 30% of patients with DM and 15% of patients with PM, with a notable majority of tumors being identified subsequent to the initial diagnosis of myopathy.
The correlation between myopathies, which manifest as a component of a paraneoplastic syndrome, and the presence of cancer is widely acknowledged within the scientific community(13). Nevertheless, the progress of epidemiological investigations in this area has been impeded by limited sample sizes, the influence of referral bias, and inconsistencies in diagnostic methodologies.
The spectrum of tumors linked to DM or PM mirrors the distribution observed in the broader population, with the potential deviations being a heightened occurrence of cervical(14), lung(15), ovarian(16), pancreatic(17), bladder(18), and gastric carcinomas(19), as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma(20). The occurrence of cancer can be ascertained prior to, during, or subsequent to the diagnosis of myositis, with a notable surge in frequency observed within the two-year timeframe encompassing the onset and progression of myositis. Furthermore, it is worth noting that in certain individuals, the manifestation of myositis is initially identified during a relapse of a previously diagnosed neoplasm, whereas in other cases, myositis resurfaces coinciding with the onset of evident malignancy. Our patient was diagnosed with inflammatory myopathy based on clinical presentations. This specific instance exemplifies the significance of possessing comprehensive understanding regarding correlated paraneoplastic syndromes, as such knowledge can prove instrumental in resolving infrequent yet critical diagnostic dilemmas. The timely identification of malignancy is of utmost importance in instances involving polymyositis. The acquisition of any subtle indications that can assist clinicians in their diagnostic endeavors is of utmost significance. Consequently, our investigation underscores the criticality of contemplating neoplasms as a potential differential diagnosis for patients who exhibit symptoms of myopathy. Despite its infrequency, myopathy can manifest as the initial symptom during presentation, thereby furnishing clinicians with a pivotal clue that may facilitate an earlier identification of concealed malignancies.