Abstract
A 43-year-old man, who was pointed out as having Becker muscular dystrophy on the basis of his family history and muscle biopsy at the age of 27, was seen at our hospital complaining of dysphagia, and was admitted with a diagnosis of gastric cancer. We performed total gastrectomy.
He presented with emaciation and serum CK levels were elevated, but he was not affected with remarkable muscle weakness or gait disorder. Genetic study showed deletions of the dystrophin gene, a finding specific to Becker muscular dystrophy. Patients with muscular dystrophy are generally short lived, and death is usually due to respiratory and/or heart failure. When operation is performed, it is necessary to avoid respiratory and circulatory complications.
