Dermatomyositis and sarcoid-like reaction associated with multiple myelomatreated effectively by high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

We report the case of a il 46-year-old male who developed dermatomyositis a nd a sarcoid-like reaction in association with testicular relapse of multip le myeloma. The myositis progressed despite chemotherapy directed at the un derlying malignant disorder and immunosuppressive treatment. There was, how ever, a dramatic and sustained response to high-dose chemotherapy and autol ogous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation which resulted in resoluti on of the myopathy and partial resolution of the sarcoid-like reaction. Thi s case report highlights the potential of autologous stem cell transplantat ion as treatment for para-neoplastic disorders associated with haematologic al malignancies.