Cutaneous amyloidosis as the first presentation of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

Abstract

Background: Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia is a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with elevated serum immunoglobulin M and multi-organ involvement. Primary systemic amyloidosis usually develops due to immunoglobulin light chains depositions in different organs due to an underlying gammopathy. Case presentation: Our patient was an 86-year-old man with macroglossia, ecchymotic patches and bullous lesions associated with a skin laxity on the periorbital, palmar, and glans penis areas. Skin biopsy confirmed dermal amyloid depositions. In serum immunofixation electrophoresis, prominent monoclonal immunoglobulin-M lambda light chains were detected associated with prominent lymphoplasmacytic infiltration in bone marrow biopsy which was diagnosed as Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Conclusion: Skin involvement presenting as cutaneous amyloidosis could be the first manifestation of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. We should think about an underlying gammopathy in an old patient with skin laxity and ecchymosis.

Keywords

• primary systemic amyloidosis
• waldenstrom macroglobulinemia