Walking a Tight Rope: Occult Lymphoma in a Case of Resistant Dermatomyositis Complicated by Tubercular Lymphadenitis and Gumma

Abstract

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, characterized by symmetrical proximal myopathy and cutaneous manifestations. DM is associated with upto a 6-fold increased risk of cancer. Complications secondary to underlying cancer are a leading cause of mortality in DM. Here, we discuss the two year clinical course of an elderly male with recalcitrant DM. This case was complicated by tubercular lymphadenitis followed by gumma. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and succumbed to death. This case emphasizes the need to do extensive malignancy screening at regular intervals in DM.