Plasma Cell Leukemia of Bence-Jones (λ) Type

Abstract

The patient was a 61-year-old housewife who began to have dyspnea and easy fatigability on exertion in September 1981. Shortly thereafter she was noticed of her having anemia and bleeding tendency by a neighbouring doctor, who referred her to us. Examination on admission led to a diagnosis of myeloma of Bence-Jones (λ) type and alkeran and steroid therapy was started. Hematologic examination done in February 1982 revealed: WBC 13000/mm³ with plasmacytosis (39%) and 70.5% plasma cells in bone marrow; diagnosis of plasma cell leukemia was thus made. There also was noted left-sided hydrothorax with tumor cells and M protein being demonstrable in the fluid. The patient died after receiving blood transfusion and chemotherapy without effect.
On autopsy numerous sporadic hemispherical masses consisting of plasma cells were noted on both the inner and outer surfaces of the thoracic wall. The bone marrow was demonstrated to contain an abundance of proliferating plasma cells. Moreover, the pericardial cavity, liver, spleen, lung, plevia, intercostal muscles, greater pectoral muscle, heart, kidneys and periesophageal lymph nodes were infiltrated by plasma cells.
A brief account was thus given of our personal case of plasma cell leukemia of Bence-Jones (λ) type with some comment on pertinent literature.