title: Epibulbar IgA plasmacytoma occurring in multiple myeloma.
abstract: The ophthalmic manifestations of a 51-year-old man with multiple myeloma included exudative retinal detachments and multiple epibulbar plasmacytomas. The retinal changes resolved with treatment for systemic effects, and the IgA-producing plasmacytomas rapidly resolved with local irradiation. The young age of onset (37 years), the prolonged course (14 years), and the IgA M protein and epibulbar involvement were, collectively, unusual findings in multiple myeloma. The presence of epibulbar, gastrointestinal tract, and prostate involvement suggested a homing mechanism of IgA-committed cells to mucosal surfaces.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M