Dermatomyositis as the first manifestation of gallbladder adenocarcinoma: case report and literature overview

Dermatomyositis (DM) is characterized by pathognomic cutaneous manifestations (heliotrope rash, periorbital edema, Gottron’s papules) and proximal muscle weakness. In this paper, I will present the case of a 48-year-old female patient whose dermatomyositis was initially diagnosed as vasculitis. Following the patient’s inadequate response to corticosteroid treatment, clinical and radiologic examinations were performed, showing inoperable gallbladder adenocarcinoma. Although initial chemotherapy led to regression, the dermatomyositis developed an independent course with new pathological changes leading to the progression of the disease. I will also present an overview of case reports in English published so far. Gallbladder carcinoma should be added to the list of malignancies with dermatomyositis and has to be excluded by relevant investigation in women.