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)
|