Extramedullary Plasmacytoma of the Head and Neck / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Head and neck solitary extramedullary plasmacytomas (EMP) are rare neoplasms of plasma cell origin. Literature review reveals only small numbers of reports. The objective was to review our experience of treating patients of this neoplasm and to compare with the analysis of EMP cases reported in Korean literature. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective review of all patients treated for EMP of the head and neck at the Chungnam National University Hospital between 1985 and 2012 was performed. Eleven patients with head and neck EMP were identified and included in this study. RESULTS: The mean age of our cases diagnosed was 51.6 years, with the range of 25 to 69 years. There was a strong male preponderance (MF=101). The sinonasal tract was the most common site (six patients) of the disease, followed by the pharynx and larynx in frequency. Four patients were treated by surgery, four by surgery and radiation, two by chemoradiation, and one by radiation. The mean follow-up was 80 months. Local recurrence developed in one patient. The time from diagnosis to local recurrence was 60 months. Two patients developed multiple myeloma, and the time took to develop multiple myeloma from the date of diagnosis of EMP was 9 and 177 months, respectively. Korean literature review (19 cases) showed similar aspects in terms of prevalent age, origin site, and treatment modalities, but equal sex ratio and low recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: We described 11 Korean cases of EMP. Long-term follow-up is essential because local recurrence and disseminated disease can occur many years after treatment.