association with internal malignant disease

Last reviewed 10/2022

There is thought to be an increased incidence of malignant disease in adult dermatomyositis patients. Estimations of the precise incidence vary widely between 7-50% according to the criteria used for diagnosing dermatomyositis. The most commonly found tumours are gastric and ovarian. There is no association between childhood dermatomyositis and malignant disease.

There is no correlation between polymyositis and malignant disease.

Reference:

• Richardson, JB. & Callen, JP. (1989). Dermatomyositis and malignancy. Med. Clin. N. America. 73(5), 1211-20.