Plasma cell neoplasm manifesting initially as a sub-cutaneous supra-orbital swelling

Abstract

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell neoplasm seen usually in patients over 50 years of age. Some cases may be asymptomatic initially and are detected during a routine test like complete blood count. They only require a close follow-up and monitoring. However, around 1% of these monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance progress to multiple myeloma every year and then they need to be taken care of by chemotherapy, targeted therapy, bisphosphonates and 6 monthly urine and bone examinations. Here, we present a case of 35-year-old female with an initial symptom of a vague backache along with a left subcutaneous supra-orbital swelling which was diagnosed as multiple myeloma by aspiration cytology and confirmed by ancillary tests. She has since been on treatment with bortezomib and prednisone and is responding well.

Keywords

• Cytology
• multiple myeloma
• subcutaneous