Abstract
Six cases of multiple myeloma are presented as examples of extensive soft tissue involvement by plasma cell tumors. The sites of tumor infiltration included the skin, subcutaneous tissues, lungs, spleen, liver, lymph nodes, adrenal glands, intrathoracic soft tissues and retroperitoneal space. Some interesting features observed in this group are discussed: long survival in two cases, acute leukemia occurring as a terminal event in one case, excellent therapeutic responses in two cases and an unexpected preponderance of the A-myeloma type of protein. Extraosseous plasmacytomas may be seen in the presence of typical skeletal lesions of multiple myeloma or in the form of disseminated extramedullary disease. The prognosis in these cases may possibly be somewhat better than that in cases with extensive skeletal involvement in which there is minimal or no soft tissue infiltration by plasmacytoma. Extramedullary plasmacytomas, although relatively infrequent, merit consideration in the differential diagnosis of tumors of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, unexplained lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, pulmonary, pleural and mediastinal tumors and even abdominal masses.
Published Version
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