Multiple myeloma in a child

Cancer. 1985 Oct 15;56(8):2143-7. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19851015)56:8<2143::aid-cncr2820560844>3.0.co;2-8.

Abstract

A 12-year-old girl with the diagnosis of multiple myeloma is described. She presented with a nasopharyngeal mass which was histologically found to be a plasmacytoma. Serum immunoelectrophoresis revealed an IgA-kappa M-protein (4.9 g/dl). There were approximately 20% atypical plasma cells in a bone marrow biopsy specimen. The diagnosis was further supported by immunohistochemical demonstration of cytoplasmic monoclonal IgA-kappa in the tumor cells of both the nasopharyngeal and bone marrow biopsies. The patient was treated with chemotherapy for 1 year, at which time she became refractory to treatment, based on serum IgA levels. Five months after cessation of therapy, she continues to exhibit a significant objective response, remaining clinically well with a stable, elevated serum IgA level.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Bone Marrow / immunology
  • Cytoplasm / immunology
  • Female
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Immunoglobulin A / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / analysis
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology*
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / immunology
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Plasmacytoma / drug therapy
  • Plasmacytoma / immunology
  • Plasmacytoma / pathology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains