A man in his late fifties was treated with acitretin for psoriasis. The treatment was discontinued when liver enzymes started to increase. He subsequently developed erythrodermia, weakness of proximal muscle groups, heliotrope rash, Gottron's papules and elevation of creatine kinase to more than 9000 U/L. However, histological examination of a muscle biopsy displayed neuropathic atrophy and only a few scattered necrotic fibers. Alpha 1 foetoprotein was substantially elevated (1600 kU/L) and computed tomography showed two hepatic tumors, lytic lesions in the spine and in the ninth rib. Although no chronic liver disease could be documented, the patient was found to have a hepatocellular carcinoma which presented as dermatomyositis and erythrodermia.