Spleen involvement at diagnosis of multiple myeloma: a case report and
literature review
Abstract
Background Multiple Myeloma (MM) is more often characterized by clonal
plasma cell proliferation restricted to the bone marrow. However, a
small percentage of patients with MM develops extramedullary disease
(EMD): this type of localization is found in 1.7-4.5% of the newly
diagnosed MM (ND/MM) and in 3.4-10% of patients with relapsed or
refractory disease (RR/MM) and seems to have a bad prognostic impact. In
the present report, we describe a very rare case of splenic involvement
in a patient with ND/MM. Case A 72 years old female was referred in June
2022 with asthenia and abdominal pain. At physical examination, spleen
enlargement was detected, with anemia (Hb 10.5 g/dL) and
thrombocythopenia (48 x 109/L). Abdominal echography confirmed spleen
enlargement (20 cm of longitudinal diameter). Blood tests showed free
light chain alteration with a λ/κ ratio of 800. Marrow aspiration showed
60% of λ-restricted immature plasma cells: p53 expression was present
in 91% of elements. PET CT scan revealed multiple focal areas of bone
increased metabolic activity and a widespread positivity of the spleen
with focal areas of higher uptake. Diagnosis of MM with splenic EMD was
done and Dara-VMP regimen was started. After the first cycle of therapy,
a marked reduction of the spleen size was observed with increase of both
Hb level and platelet count. After the 2nd cycle of therapy, however,
there was evolution in plasma cells leukemia: Vd-PACE regimen was thus
started, but after the 2nd cycle she died in October 2022 from septic
shock and multiorgan failure. Conclusions Our very rare case of ND/MM
with spleen involvement confirms the aggressive behaviour of EMD, with
negative prognostic factors (p53 mutation) and failure to frontline
highly effective therapy. In the other few cases of spleen involvement
reported, however, there were only scarce details about response: as a
consequence, collection of similar cases is warranted to fully
understand clinical features and possible alternative approaches for
these extremely rare patients.