Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases (Aug 2014)
PLEURAL EFFUSION FORMATION IN THE COURSE OF MYELOMA
Abstract
Multiple myeloma is the second most common haematological malignancy and usually presents with bone pain, pathologic fractures and anemia. It may affects thorax as bone lesions, plasmocytomas, pulmonary infiltrations and pleural effusion. Pleural effusion seen 6% of myeloma patients and mainly cause of heart failure, renal failure infections, amyloidosis, second tumor, hypoalbuminemia and pulmonary embolism. However, pleural effusion due to plasma cell infilration is rare and less than 100 cases reported to date. Malign pleural infiltration with plasma cells is poor prognostic. Thus, more aggressive chemotherapy regimens may be indicated in myeloma with involvement of pleural cavities.