An aggressive extramedullary cutaneous plasmacytoma associated with extreme alterations in the innate immune system.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The role of natural killer (NK) cells in plasma cell diseases has not yet been fully characterized.

CASE REPORT:

We present the case of a 47-year-old man with an extremely aggressive extramedullary plasmacytoma of the lung with associated cutaneous lesions, whose disease was accompanied by a significantly decreased number of NK cells (CD56+, CD16+, CD3-) in the peripheral blood, very low NK cell activity levels, and a decreased interleukin-2 production from cultured cells in vitro. Histology and immunohistochemistry of the lung and cutaneous lesions identified that the tumor was composed of clonal plasma cells which were CD38+++, CD138+++, lambda chain+, kappa chain-, and cytokeratin-. Bone marrow histology and cytology were initially normal. The disease progressed rapidly despite local radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy, and the patient died shortly after diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cutaneous involvement in extramedullary plasmacytoma represents a clinically aggressive variant of plasma cell tumor, which runs a rapid course and has associated devastating effects on the patient's innate immune system.

• Authors: Vladimir Jurisic, Natasa Colovic, Gordana Konjevic, Ivana Minic, Milica Colovic
• Journal: Onkologie (Onkologie) Vol. 33 Issue 3 Pg. 113-5 ( 2010) ISSN: 1423-0240 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 20215803 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Topics

• Humans
• Immune System Diseases (complications, pathology)
• Killer Cells, Natural (pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Plasmacytoma (complications, pathology)
• Skin Neoplasms (complications, pathology)