Dermatomyositis complicated with Kaposi sarcoma: a case report

Clin Rheumatol. 2007 Mar;26(3):440-2. doi: 10.1007/s10067-005-0148-3. Epub 2006 Jan 26.

Abstract

We describe the case of a 75-year-old Italian woman affected by dermatomyositis (DM) treated with steroid, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIgs) and cyclophosphamide (CPX), taken orally. After a few months, the patient presented multiple red vascular skin lesions diagnosed as Kaposi sarcoma (KS). Steroid was furtherly reduced, and CPX was stopped. We put the patient on chemotherapy with intravenous infusion of vinblastine and vincristine on alternate weeks obtaining the remission of KS. DM is well controlled by a low-dosage steroid and high-dose IVIgs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Dermatomyositis / complications*
  • Dermatomyositis / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Prednisone / adverse effects*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / chemically induced*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / drug therapy
  • Vinblastine / therapeutic use
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Vincristine
  • Vinblastine
  • Prednisone