Multiple myeloma with coexistent myelofibrosis: improvement of myelofibrosis following recovery from multiple myeloma after treatment with melphalan and prednisolone.

Abstract

We describe a case of multiple myeloma associated with myelofibrosis. This patient had hepatosplenomegaly, moderate anemia with anisocytosis and nucleated red blood cells, and Bence-Jones protein (kappa) in the urine. A bone marrow biopsy showed extensive marrow fibrosis and proliferation of numerous immature plasma cells containing kappa light chain in the cytoplasm. Melphalan-prednisolone therapy not only facilitated the disappearance of the immature plasma cells but also resulted in an improvement of myelofibrosis in the bone marrow. The immature plasma cell proliferation and marrow fibrosis in the bone marrow were seen again after interruption of chemotherapy. Therefore, this myelofibrosis may be secondary to the coexistent multiple myeloma.