Refractory plasmablastic type myeloma with multiple extramedullary plasmacytomas and massive myelomatous effusion: remarkable response with a combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone

Intern Med. 2009;48(20):1827-32. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.48.2142. Epub 2009 Oct 15.

Abstract

A 74-year-old man with multiple myeloma was refractory to melphalan/prednisolone (MP), high-dose dexamethasone and VAD chemotherapy. He had the following poor prognostic factors: 1) multiple extramedullary plasmacytomas, 2) massive myelomatous effusion, 3) increasing immature myeloma cells with plasmablastic morphology, and 4) predominance of MPC1-CD49e-CD45+ phenotype immature myeloma cells. Combination therapy with thalidomide and dexamethasone resulted in a rapid response and a partial remission despite his multiple poor prognostic factors. The present case suggests that combination therapy with thalidomide and dexamethasone is still an alternative treatment regimen for resistant extramedullary plasmacytoma with a plasmablastic morphology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Myeloma / complications
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis*
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
  • Plasmacytoma / complications
  • Plasmacytoma / diagnosis*
  • Plasmacytoma / drug therapy
  • Pleural Effusion, Malignant / complications
  • Pleural Effusion, Malignant / diagnosis*
  • Pleural Effusion, Malignant / drug therapy
  • Thalidomide / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Thalidomide
  • Dexamethasone