[Pleural effusion as a first sign of Ig D lambda multiple myeloma]

Ann Med Interne (Paris). 2003 Feb;154(1):70-2.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Immunoglobulin D (IgD) multiple myeloma is rare, accounting for less than 2% of all patients with multiple myeloma. The main presenting features are bone pain in 70% of patients. Extramedullary involvement is less common. We report a case of Ig D lambda multiple myeloma in a 74-year-old man that was revealed by pleural effusion and dyspnea. This effusion was found to be caused by multiple myeloma after electrophoretic and cytologic assays. The patient received a course of chemotherapy with melphalan and prednisone. The patient died one month later with signs of septic shock. Pleural effusion as a first sign of Ig D multiple myeloma is rarely described and the prognosis associated with such a localisation is very poor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Humans
  • Immunoelectrophoresis
  • Immunoglobulin D / analysis*
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / analysis*
  • Male
  • Melphalan / administration & dosage
  • Melphalan / therapeutic use
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis*
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology*
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Immunoglobulin D
  • Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains
  • Melphalan
  • Prednisone