Multiple Upper Aerodigestive Tract Masses Presenting With Stridor—A Rare Case of Aggressive Multifocal Extramedullary Plasmacytoma

Abstract

Extramedullary plasmacytomas represent a rare group of B-cell malignancies that arise outside the bone marrow and their disease process is still poorly understood. Here, we will describe a case of a 76-year-old patient who presented with a large chest wall and subglottic mass causing airway compromise and stridor. Biopsies showed atypical plasma cells with prominent nucleoli which were in keeping with an extramedullary plasmacytoma. Disease progressed despite surgical debulking, targeted radiotherapy, and multiple chemotherapy regimens. Although response to treatment is classically good, patients occasionally present with aggressive disease.

Multiple airway plasmacytomas: A rare cause of proximal airway obstruction requiring tumor debulking

“…Solitary EMP lacks the hypercalcemia, renal dysfunction, anemia, bone lesions, or bone marrow involvement that characterizes MM. EMPs are typically diagnosed later in life and most frequently present in the upper aerodigestive tract 8 . Definitive radiotherapy can be curative for the majority of solitary EMPs.…”

“…EMPs are typically diagnosed later in life and most frequently present in the upper aerodigestive tract. 8 Definitive radiotherapy can be curative for the majority of solitary EMPs. EMPs can also arise as a manifestation of MM.…”