Extramedullary plasmacytoma in the maxillary sinus: a case report

Abstract

Plasmacytoma is a rare malignant neoplasm in the head and neck region and comprises approximately 3% of all plasma cell tumors. This lesion is a unifocal, monoclonal, neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells that usually arises within the bone. Infrequently, it is observe d in soft tissue, in which case, the term extramedullary plasmacytoma is used. Approximately 80-90% of extramedullary plasmacytomas involve the mucos-Asso ciated- Lymphoid Tissue of the upper airways with 75% of these involving the nasal and paranasal regions. The plasmacytoma is usually d etected in adult males, with an average age at diagnosis of 55 years. The male-to-female ratio is 3:1.Radiographically, the lesion may be seen a s a well-defined, unilocularradioluceny with no evidence of a sclerotic border. Some investigators believe that this lesion represents the least aggressive part of the spectrum of plasma cell neoplasms that extend to multiple myeloma.Therefore, plasma cytoma is believed to have clinical importa nce. We report a case of extramedullary plasmacytoma in the right maxillary sinus of a 59-year-old male with review of the relevant literature.