Extramedullary Plasmacytomata of the Upper Respiratory Tract

Abstract

Extramedullary plasmacytomata may arise in any structure containing re-ticulo-endothelial tissue. Such tumors may be either isolated or the initial lesion of a generalized disseminated condition. Ideally, multiple involvement should be diagnosed at the presymptomatic stage; this may be possible by detecting variations in the immunoglobulins. Histologically, electron microscopy is advised to detect the plasma cell in the more undifferentiated case. Nine cases are reported. Two cases showed multiple involvement presenting with extramedullary plasmacytomata. A further case recurred locally many times but is still alive after 22 years. The remaining seven cases showed only isolated extramedullary plasmacytomata; of these, five were benign but in two, the tumor eroded bone locally. Those which subsequently developed multiple myelomata showed changes in the serum proteins, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and radiologically, at approximately the same time. Surgical excision and/or radiotherapy was equally successful in those patients with localized disease.