Head & Face Medicine (Jan 2009)

Extramedullary myeloma in an HIV-seropositive subject. Literature review and report of an unusual case

  • Lemmer Johan,
  • Bouckaert Michael,
  • Wood Neil H,
  • White Jason,
  • Feller Liviu,
  • Raubenheimer Erich J

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-160X-5-4
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1
p. 4

Abstract

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Abstract Myeloma is characterized by monoclonal bone marrow plasmacytosis, the presence of M-protein in serum and/or in urine and osteolytic bone lesions. HIV-seropositive subjects with myeloma are younger at the time of diagnosis of the tumour and usually the myeloma has a more aggressive clinical course than it does in HIV-seronegative subjects. A case of an HIV-seropositive woman in whom myeloma was diagnosed following progressive swelling of the face, is reported. In addition to bone marrow plasmacytosis and the presence of M-protein in the serum, the patient had an extramedullary lesion affecting the oral cavity, maxilla, parotid gland and paranasal sinuses, and extending intracranially and intraorbitally.