Extramedullary presentation of multiple myeloma in the parotid gland as first evidence of the disease -- a review with case report

• Published in: The Nigerian postgraduate medical journal Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 45
• Main Authors: Obuekwe, O N, Nwizu, N N, Ojo, M A, Ugbodaga, P I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nigeria 01-03-2005
• Subjects: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Myeloma - pathology; Parotid Neoplasms - pathology; Photomicrography; Plasmacytoma - pathology; Radiography; Skull - diagnostic imaging
• ISSN: 1117-1936
• DOI: 10.4103/1117-1936.175247

Myeloma is a neoplasm of plasma cells that causes painful, bone-destructive lesions. It may present as a solitary lesion (plasmacytoma), or involve multiple sites (multiple myeloma). Myeloma may occur in an extraosseous location as a solitary lesion, or less commonly, in combination with multiple myeloma. Oral manifestations may be the first sign or symptom of the disease. Soft tissue plasmacytomas of the head and neck tend to involve the nasal cavity or nasopharynx, rather than the oral cavity. Its occurrence in the parotid gland is rare. We present an unusual case of multiple myeloma with extramedullary involvement involving the parotid gland as first evidence of the disease. Multiple myeloma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of salivary gland swellings.