Solitary plasmacytoma of bone--a rare disorder with an unusual evolution.
A 40 year old woman presented with a spinal epidural tumour, which on histology was shown to be a plasmacytoma. At that time she had no evidence of multiple myeloma. Ten months later, she developed a second isolated plasmacytoma in the spleen, for which she underwent splenectomy. Two years after her initial presentation she had another recurrence in the liver, followed by a full-blown picture of multiple myeloma. The myeloma was progressive and resistant to all forms of chemotherapy. She finally died of a massive gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The clinical features, natural evolution and management of solitary plasmacytomas are discussed.
Imperial Cancer Research Fund Department of Medical Oncology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London, UK.
R K
RK
Ganjoo
J S
JS
Malpas
P N
PN
Plowman
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005047:Etoposide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013156:Splenectomy; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide