Hippokratia 2008, 12(3):181-185
I. Kalogiannidis, A. Papanikolaou, I. Xanthakis, A. Makedos, N. Prapas
Abstract
Background: The association of ovarian malignancy with dermatomyositis (DM) is well established from previous reports, while the relationship with polymyositis (PM) is rare.
Case report: We report a case of a 50 years old nulliparous woman who developed clear cell ovarian cancer four years after the PM diagnosis. The patient presented with deep lower abdominal pain and distension. CA-125 was elevated and the preoperative MRI showed pelvic tumor occupying the Douglas pouch. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a gross mass of clear cell ovarian carcinoma.
Conclusion: Physicians must be alert of the possibility of malignancy in patients with a previous diagnosis of polymyositis.