Síndrome POEMS: um diagnóstico desafiador / POEMS Syndrome: a challenging diagnosis

A síndrome POEMS é um distúrbio multissistêmico. Sua patogênese não está totalmente estabelecida, mas sabe-se que tem relação com fator de crescimento vascular endotelial, interleucinas e fator de necrose tumoral alfa. A idade média de incidência é 50 anos, com maior prevalência em homens. Neuropatia periférica e gamopatia monoclonal estão presentes em todos os pacientes e são consideradas critérios maiores; quando associadas a pelo menos um critério menor, estabelecem diagnóstico da síndrome. As opções de tratamento são radioterapia, corticosteroides e quimioterapia, além de transplante autólogo de células-tronco hematopoiéticas. (AU)

POEMS syndrome is a multisystem disorder. Its pathogenesis isn't fully established, but it is known to be related to endothelial vascular growth factor, interleukins, and tumoral necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The mean age at incidence is 50 years, with a higher prevalence in men. Peripheral neuropathy and monoclonal gammopathy are present in all patients, and are considered major criteria; when associated with at least one minor criterium, they establish the diagnosis of the syndrome. Treatment options are radiotherapy, corticosteroids, chemotherapy, as well as autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. (AU)

Síndrome POEMS: Comunicación de cuatro casos / POEMS syndrome. A report of four cases

Se presentan cuatro casos de un raro síndrome paraneoplásico de una discrasia de células plamáticas compuesto por polineuropatía, organomegalia, endocrinopatía, banda monoclonal y lesiones cutáneas (POEMS). El objetivo de la comunicación de esta serie es alertar sobre diferentes formas de presentación del síndrome de POEMS para disminuir el tiempo de diagnóstico, ya que el tratamiento temprano reduce las secuelas y mejora la calidad de vida a largo plazo; también, señalar la importancia de la clasificación de la enfermedad hematológica para realizar el tratamiento específico.

Four cases of a rare paraneoplastic syndrome associated to a plasmatic cell disorder with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin lesions (POEMS) are here reported. The purpose of the communication is to warn of different forms of presentation of POEMS syndrome to decrease the time of diagnosis, because early treatment reduces sequels and improves quality of life in the long term, also to remark the importance of classifying the hematological disease for specific treatment.

Compromiso endocrinológico en el síndrome de POEMS: revisión a propósito de un caso / Secondary amenorrhea and hypothyroidism in a women with POEMS syndrome: report of one case

POEMS is an acronym for a syndrome characterized by osteosclerotic myeloma: polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein and skin changes. Hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, diabetes mellitus and adrenal failure can be associated to POEMS syndrome. We report a 39 years old women with monoclonal gammopathy and paraparesis caused by a polyneuropathy, in whom a POEMS syndrome was diagnosed and treated with dexamethasone. The patient had a secondary amenorrhea and a clinical hypothyroidism with negative antithyroidal antibodies. Substitutionwith levothyroxine was started.

Síndrome de Poems

Una forma poco común de discrasia de células plasmáticas asociada a polineuropatía, organomegalia, endocrinopatía, proteína monoclonal y cambios de piel ha recibido el nombre de POEMS. Informamos un caso de una paciente con mieloma múltiple asociado a amiloidosis y hallazgos clínicos de polineuropatía, hepatoesplenomegalia, intolerancia a los carbohidratos, pico monoclonal e hiperpigmentación que configuran el diagnóstico del síndrome de POEMS. Es el primer caso descrito en nuestro país y el cuarto en Latinoamérica.