Hepatic failure caused by plasma cell infiltration in multiple myeloma

Fadi E. Rahhal, Robert R. Schade, Asha Nayak, Teresa A. Coleman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although plasma cell infiltration is not rare in autopsy of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), it is very rarely detected in living patients. This is because MM rarely causes significant liver dysfunction that requires further evaluation. A 49-year-old man presented with acute renal failure and was diagnosed with kappa light chain MM stage IIB. Thalidomide and dexamethasone were initiated. The patient developed a continuous increase in bilirubin that led to severe cholestasis. A liver biopsy revealed plasma cell infiltration. He then rapidly progressed to liver failure and died. Treatment options are limited in MM with significant liver dysfunction. Despite new drug therapies in MM, those patients with rapidly progressive liver failure appear to have a dismal outcome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2038-2040
Number of pages3
JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume15
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 28 2009

Keywords

  • Cell infiltration
  • Hepatic failure
  • Multiple myeloma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gastroenterology

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