Hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as polymyositis: a paraneoplastic syndrome

Ann Saudi Med. 2011 Sep-Oct;31(5):533-5. doi: 10.4103/0256-4947.84636.

Abstract

Polymyositis as a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with hepatocellular carcinoma is quite rare; only a few cases have been reported. We report a case of a 50-year-old female who presented with subacute quadriparesis, neck muscle weakness, elevated creatinine phosphokinase, a myogenic pattern on the EMG and was diagnosed as having polymyositis, a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with hepatocellular carcinoma with negative hepatic viral markers and a positive ANA. Improvement in patient symptoms and areduction in creatinine phosphokinase, which occurred after lobectomy, supports this rare association.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / surgery
  • Creatine Kinase / metabolism
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymyositis / diagnosis*
  • Polymyositis / pathology
  • Quadriplegia / etiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Creatine Kinase