Macro-CK revealing a disseminated epidermoid carcinoma of the piriform antrum.

Introduction, - The association between dermatomyositis and cancer is clearly established, but its frequency remains difficult to define. Exegesis, - We report the case of an association between a dermatomyositis and a cancer of the piriform antrum. Four months after surgical treatment and radiotherapy, the increased macro-CK level gave us reason to suspect a cancer relapse with pulmonary, hepatic, splenic and renal metastases without progressive clinical signs. Conclusion. - Mitochondrial macro-CK detection must evoke the presence of neoplasia with or without metastasis, which would be a poor prognosis, as has been shown in our patient. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.