Immunoglobulin D multiple myeloma in our hospital--a rare occurrence

Singapore Med J. 2000 Oct;41(10):500-3.

Abstract

Immunoglobulin (Ig) D multiple myeloma is a rare presentation, usually with an aggressive course and a poorer prognosis. It accounts for about 1-2% of newly diagnosed mulitple myeloma patients. Due to its rarity, reports on Ig D multiple myeloma are limited in the literature. We therefore present 4 cases of Ig D multiple myeloma in our hospital over a period of 8 years between 1990 to 1998. The average age of presentation of our patients was 44 years old with a female preponderance. Common presenting symptoms were appetite and weight loss and bone pain. Two patients presented with neurological symptoms and 2 with renal impairment. Three patients had an associated lambda paraproteinaemia and the fourth had a kappa paraproteinaemia. A common finding in Ig D myeloma is a small or no spike seen on serum electrophoresis together with heavy Bence Jones proteinuria. A review of the literature on Ig D myeloma is also presented.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Electrophoresis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin D*
  • Male
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology*
  • Multiple Myeloma / therapy

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin D