Multiple myeloma with onset of pancreas involvement: A case report

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Jul;98(30):e16567. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016567.

Abstract

Rationale: Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematological malignancy. Extramedullary involvement is one of the indicators of poor prognosis. There is no consensus in treatment options and the efficacy. This article reports a case of multiple myeloma with onset of pancreas involvement. Amyloidosis secondary to multiple myeloma and a partial response to the chemotherapy treatment further emphasized its rarity.

Patient concerns: In this article, we report a 59-year-old male patient with a chief complaint of fatigue for 8 months and upper abdominal pain for 2 months.

Diagnosis: The patients were diagnosed as amyloidosis secondary to multiple myeloma with pancreatic occupying (head-neck junction area) lesion based on laboratory examination and pathology from lymph node puncture and skin biopsy.

Interventions: An intensive chemotherapy treatment as bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone, cisplatin, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide was given. Due to intolerance, treatment regimen was further adjusted to bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone.

Outcomes: The patient was 12 months alive. After 4 cycles of chemotherapy, a partial response was achieved and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging suggested a reduced pancreatic occupying lesion.

Lessons: This case demonstrates that pancreatic involvement, digestive system neoplasm, and amyloidosis-related clinical features may be the earliest manifestations of multiple myeloma. For these patients, an intensive chemotherapy regimen may be a possible treatment approach.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amyloidosis / etiology*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / complications
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / secondary*