IntroductionDermatomyositis (DM) is a rare idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterized by progressive symmetric proximal muscle weakness and distinctive cutaneous manifestations, such as heliotrope rash, V sign, Shawl sign and Gottron’s papules. It is often associated with underlying malignancies, making it a well-recognized paraneoplastic syndrome.1 The association between dermatomyositis and various malignancies has been utterly documented. Cancer of the lung, breast, ovary, testis, and gastrointestinal tract are among the most commonly reported.2 Only two dermatomyositis instances were linked to squamous cell carcinoma of cervix in a multinational analysis of 618 patients by Hill et al.2 An extensive review of the literature turned up a small number of additional cases of dermatomyositis in conjunction with cervical squamous cell carcinoma.3–7 However, dermatomyositis as a paraneoplastic manifestation of cervical carcinoma is relatively uncommon and requires further exploration.8Paraneoplastic syndromes are uncommon disorders associated with malignancies that cannot be explained by direct extension of the primary tumor or metastasis but result from an altered immune response to the neoplasm.3 Cervical cancer remains a significant global health issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where screening and early detection programs are often inadequate.9 The paraneoplastic nature of dermatomyositis in cervical cancer highlights the importance of recognizing this association, as it may serve as an early indicator of underlying malignancy.4 Early diagnosis and treatment of both the neoplasm and the paraneoplastic syndrome are crucial for improving patient outcomes.8This case report presents a rare instance of dermatomyositis as a paraneoplastic syndrome owing to carcinoma of the cervix. An extensive review of literature and discussion of the clinical presentation, along with management strategies, attempts to add to the expanding body of information on this uncommon association.
