Multiple Myeloma after Phenytoin Therapy

Abstract

We report a case of multiple myeloma in a 48‐year‐old woman treated with phenytoin for 55 months. This association may be fortuitous. The depressive effect of phenytoin on the immune responses, however, could account for the occurrence of the dysglobulinaemia. This case points out the need for periodic examination of serum proteins in patients chronically treated with hydantoin derivatives.

Medication use and multiple myeloma risk in Los Angeles County

“…Based on case reports [17–19], phenytoin use has historically been linked with MM risk, but multiple case-control studies conducted since then have not corroborated this association [7, 20]. While we note based on the low prevalence of phenytoin use in the LAMMCC an elevated but not statistically significant link between phenytoin use and MM risk, we encourage further evaluation of this question in future prospective studies.…”