title: Multiple myeloma in a child.
abstract: A 12-year-old girl with the diagnosis of multiple myeloma is described. She presented with a nasopharyngeal mass which was histologically found to be a plasmacytoma. Serum immunoelectrophoresis revealed an IgA-kappa M-protein (4.9 g/dl). There were approximately 20% atypical plasma cells in a bone marrow biopsy specimen. The diagnosis was further supported by immunohistochemical demonstration of cytoplasmic monoclonal IgA-kappa in the tumor cells of both the nasopharyngeal and bone marrow biopsies. The patient was treated with chemotherapy for 1 year, at which time she became refractory to treatment, based on serum IgA levels. Five months after cessation of therapy, she continues to exhibit a significant objective response, remaining clinically well with a stable, elevated serum IgA level.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / Q000032:analysis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains