Paraneoplastic polymyositis

**Definition:** Paraneoplastic is a rare cancer associated entity. It presents sub-, or acutely with proximal weakness, often including the neck flexors, dysphagia, rarely the respiratory muscles and the heart are involved. Sometimes muscle pain or myalgia occur. Myopathology shows a targeted, cell-mediated lymphocyte toxicity against muscle fibres in focal areas of inflammation within perimysial connective tissue and surrounding blood vessels. Muscle fibres may be destroyed by cytotoxic T cells. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, lung, and bladder carcinoma are the most frequently observed associated cancer types.