ABSTRACT
Renal failure is a common complication in the course of multiple myeloma (MM). It is being observed in 20-40% of patients at the moment of disease diagnosis and in 10-36% of the cases dialysis treatment is required. Kidney damage is mainly caused by the toxic effect of monoclonal light chains, also known as Bence-Jones proteins produced by the pathological plasma cells. Light chains coaggregate with Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein leading to casts formation in the distal nephron (cast nephropathy). Additional factors causing renal damage in MM may be dehydration, hypercalcemia, hyperuricemia as well as drug nephrotoxicity. We have described a 49 year-old woman diagnosed with IgA multiple myeloma at IIIB advance stage according to Durie and Salmona classification. The disease course was complicated by renal failure. Myeloma treatment (cyclophosphamide + talidomid + dexamethasone) was initiated simultaneously with hemodialysis therapy. Treatment with this was successful even though disease course was very severe and required longer-term hemodialysotherapy. Complete hematological remission was obtained and after 17 months of renal replacement therapy--hemodialysis treatment was ceased due to improvement of renal function. The presented case confirms the necessity of dialysis therapy initiation in every case of acute renal failure in the course of multiple myeloma--even when symptoms indicates an advanced stage of the disease. Initiation of dialysis therapy allows to initiate and continue the effective multiple myeloma treatment. This is the chance for recovery of renal function to such a level that dialysis treatment could be ceased, even after many months of dialysis therapy.
