What is cutaneous plasmacytoma?
Primary cutaneous plasmacytoma is a rare B-cell lymphoma consisting of a monoclonal proliferation of mature plasma cells in the skin without underlying multiple myeloma. The disease may be regarded as a subtype of extramedullary plasmacytoma arising primarily in the skin.
Is plasmacytoma a cancer?
A plasmacytoma is a type of abnormal plasma cell growth that is cancerous. Rather than many tumors in different locations as in multiple myeloma, there is only one tumor, hence the name solitary plasmacytoma. A solitary plasmacytoma often develops in a bone.
Is plasmacytoma serious?
Plasmacytoma may progress to multiple myeloma, a disease in which multiple tumors are present. Patients with solitary bone plasmacytoma will be regularly monitored for progression to multiple myeloma.
How fast does Plasmacytoma grow?
Solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) progresses to multiple myeloma at a rate of 65-84% at 10 years and 65-100% at 15 years. The median onset of conversion to multiple myeloma is 2-5 years with a 10-year disease-free survival rate of 15-46%.
Can Plasmacytoma come back?
However, there is a risk that plasmacytomas may recur or progress to myeloma (particularly with SBP). All people with plasmacytomas require life-long follow-up.
How is plasmacytoma diagnosed?
Plasmacytoma is diagnosed by a tissue biopsy or bone marrow biopsy. This shows invasion of the bone or tissue by monoclonal (identical) plasma cells (see cutaneous plasmacytoma pathology). To make a diagnosis of solitary plasmacytoma (of bone or extramedullary site), other plasma cell tumours or multiple myeloma must be excluded.
What are solitary plasmacytomas of bone and soft tissue?
The cells are identical to those seen in multiple myeloma, but they form discrete masses of cells in the skeleton (solitary plasmacytoma of bone; SPB) or in soft tissues (extramedullary plasmacytoma; EP). They do not present with systemic disease, which would classify them as another systemic plasma cell disorder.
What is the difference between plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma?
The difference between plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma is that plasmacytoma lacks increased blood calcium, decreased kidney function, too few red blood cells in the bloodstream, and multiple bone lesions (collectively termed CRAB). Micrograph of a plasmacytoma. Plasmacytoma is a tumor of plasma cells.
What are the IMWG diagnostic criteria for plasmacytomas?
The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) has published criteria for the diagnosis of plasmacytomas. They recognise three distinct entities: SPB, extramedullary plasmacytoma and multiple solitary plasmacytomas (+/- recurrent).