Objective: To summarize the clinical features and the experiences of diagnosis and treatment of extramedullary plasmacytomas (EMPs), and to enhance the cure rates of EMPs.
Method: Clinical data of 8 patients with EMPs in head and neck, who treated in our hospital from Jan. 1990 to Dec. 2004, were reviewed. Of 8 cases, 3 cases with the tumors occurred in nasal cavities, 1 in maxillary sinus, 2 in nasopharynx, 1 in posterior wall of oropharynx.
Result: Eight patients who were all pathologic confirmed EMP accepted surgical resections of the tumors, and 4 of 8 cases were boosted radiation therapy post-operation. Four cases were still alive disease-free for more than 1, 5, 10 and 12 years after treatments, respectively. One died of local recurrence in 2 years, 1 died of multiple myeloma in 3 year, and 1 died of heart attack in 2 years after treatments, respectively. One lost follow-up.
Conclusion: EMPs in head and neck are low potential malignancy tumors. The diagnosis of EMPs mainly depends on clinical manifestations and pathological results. Surgery and radiation therapy are the main treatments for EMPs in head and neck.