Coexistent Multiple Myeloma and Parathyroid Adenoma

Abstract

To the Editor.— In the article entitled Coexistent Multiple Myeloma and Primary Hyperparathyroidism (1982; 247:823), Stone et al stated that they were not aware of any other report of a patient in whom overt myeloma and documented primary hyperparathyroidism occurred simultaneously. We wish to point out that we published a case report1describing an elderly man with simultaneous parathyroid adenoma andκlight-chain myeloma. The patient's clinical presentation was characterized by pathological fractures, cystic bone lesions, and hypercalcemia. He survived for 22 months after resection of the adenoma and institution of chemotherapy of the myeloma. He eventually died of refractory hypercalcemia. As the authors observed, literature reports of the simultaneous occurrence of symptomatic myeloma and hyperparathyroidism are sparse. We support their recommendation that in the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia, the coexistence of these diseases should be considered.