Extramedullary PlasmacytomaTumor Occurrence and Therapeutic Concepts – a follow-up

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) belongs to the category of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and has very little or no systemic bone marrow involvement. Usually EMPs arise in the soft tissue of the head and neck region but can also be located in other regions. Referring to our publication in 1999 (Cancer 85: 2305-14), we conducted a literature review from 1999 to 2019, documenting and analysing all EMPs published in PUBMED, and in parallel, included our own patients.

During this time, 1045 patients with EMP were published, which included the indication of body localization, with 62.5 % in the head and neck area and 37.5 % in other body areas. Gender indication was reported in 880 cases (68 % men vs. 32 % women). In 372 patients, information was given concerning the treatment, with 38.2 % receiving radiation, 28.5 % surgery, 28.2 % combination surgery and radiation, and 5 % other therapy. A follow-up was reported in 371 patients and 80.6 % showed no recurrence or transformation to multiple myeloma (MM), 12.4 % local recurrence and 7 % MM.

It was also shown that combination therapy (surgery and radiation) resulted in a total survival rate of 96.6 % for 5 years, 94.4 % for surgery and 91.0 % for radiation.

In the 14 own ENT patients (57.1 % male and 42.9 % female) 57.1 % were treated with surgery, 35.7 % with a combination of radiation and surgery and 7.1 % (only one) with irradiation. The follow-up revealed that 76.9 % had no recurrence and no transformation to MM, and 23.1 % developed recurrence. A MM did not occur.

Extensive literature research and analysis of our own patients has shown that surgical intervention is recommended if the tumor can be safely removed. However, if this is not possible safely, a combination of surgery and radiation should be used. These Results confirm previous studies.

Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020