Abstract
A 72-year-old male with extramedullary plasmacytoma in the hypopharynx is presented.
The patient had a history of total gastrectomy for stomach cancer without recurrence, and developed swallowing disturbance and hemoptysis 3 days before his admission. Laryngoscopic examination revealed a large mass in the posterior wall of the hypopharynx. Laboratory examinations showed an increase in Ig A, slight increase in Ig G, and decrease in Ig M and Ig E. Immunoelectrophoretic studies of the serum protein revealed an increase of Ig A type M-component. The light and electron microscopic studies of the biopsied specimen demonstrated densely packed rather well differentiated plasma cells and a scant connective tissue stroma.
The tumor was completely extirpated by para-pharyngectomy, but immunoelectophoretic studies of the extract from this growth was found to be Ig G (type K) myeloma which was incompatible with the preoperative diagnosis. It was thought that this patient had essential or secondary monoclonal gammopathy other than solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the hypopharynx.
