A Case Report of Anti-TIF1-γAntibody-Positive Dermatomyositis Concomitant with Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder

Abstract

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is rare among urinary bladder cancer types, and to date, there are no case reports of concurrent antitranscriptional intermediary factor 1-γantibody-positive dermatomyositis. We describe the case of a 69-year-old Japanese man who presented with elevated creatine kinase levels and haematuria on medical examination. Approximately one month later, he developed dysphagia. Laryngoscopy confirmed laryngeal dysfunction. He also presented with muscle weakness and a skin rash. Magnetic resonance imaging of the upper extremities suggested bilateral brachial muscle myositis. He was diagnosed as having dermatomyositis and was later found to be positive for antitranscriptional intermediary factor 1-γ antibody. Computed tomography revealed an intravesical space-occupying lesion and right iliac lymphadenopathy, suggesting urinary bladder cancer. The patient was admitted to our hospital for treatment. Urinary bladder biopsy confirmed small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma because tumour cells were positive for synaptophysin, CD56, and chromogranin A. Thus, the patient was diagnosed as having an antitranscriptional intermediary factor 1-γantibody-positive dermatomyositis concomitant with urinary bladder small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. The patient was treated with glucocorticoid and intravenous immune globulin therapy for dermatomyositis. Radiotherapy was selected for the carcinoma. Although muscle weakness and skin symptoms improved with treatment, dysphagia persisted. Furthermore, expression of the transcriptional intermediary factor 1-γ protein in tumour cells was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry, but the significance is unknown. It should be noted that antitranscriptional intermediary factor 1-γantibody-positive dermatomyositis can occur concomitantly with such a rare malignancy.