Cutaneous plasmacytoma.

Abstract

which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. A 64-year-old woman having compression fractures in the fourth and fifth thoracic vertebral bodies was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The results of the initial laboratory investigations were to the thoracic spine and induction chemotherapy, which consisted of thalidomide and dexamethasone. After 3 weeks of chemotherapy, multiple erythematous papules appeared on the anterior chest and upper abdomen; the back and extremities were spared (A). The serum monoclonal protein concentration was 6.6 g/dL. Biopsy of a nodule revealed dense infiltration of plasma cells (B, C), which were positive for CD138 and lambda light chain. Despite salvage treatment consisting of bortezomib and dexamethasone, the patient died of pneumonia 2 months after the diagnosis of cutaneous plasmacytoma. Cutaneous involvement in multiple myeloma is very uncommon and indicates very poor prognosis.