Paraneoplastic cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis disclosing multiple myeloma: a case report

Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2011 Aug;11(4):373-4. doi: 10.1016/j.clml.2011.03.034. Epub 2011 May 11.

Abstract

Cutaneous lesions are unusual during the course of multiple myeloma. In rare cases, multiple myeloma may be associated to skin involvement secondary to amyloidosis, cryoglobulinemia, and POEMS syndrome. Paraneoplastic skin involvement occurs preferentially during solid neoplasms. We report the case of an uncommon presentation of an IgA lambda multiple myeloma in a 58 year-old woman preceded by vascular purpura with cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LV) and intense deposit of IgA and kappa light chains in the dermal vessels. Purpura resolved after specific treatment of multiple myeloma and diagnosis of paraneoplastic purpura was asserted. We propose a brief review of the literature about skin involvement during multiple myeloma. This case highlights the necessity to search for MM when we are facing a LV.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cryoglobulinemia / complications
  • Female
  • Humans
  • IgA Vasculitis / complications
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / blood
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / metabolism*
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / urine
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / blood
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / urine
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis*
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology*
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / complications
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / complications*
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / diagnosis
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / immunology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains

Supplementary concepts

  • Vascular purpura