Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.
2001 Oct;44(10):1123-1126.
A Case of Extramedullary Plasmacytoma of the Adenoid and Palatine Tonsil
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Gil Medical Center, Gachon Medical College, Incheon, Korea.
Abstract
- Extramedullary plasmacytomas (EMPs) are rare, low-grade and malignant transforming solitary tumors consisting of neoplastic plasma cell proliferation that occurs in the bones of the head and neck. Ninety percent of solitary EMPs occur in the head and neck region: these constitute, however, less than 1% of all head and neck malignancies. EMPs represent up to 4% of nonepithelial lesions of the upper respiratory tract. On initial presentations, they must be differentiated from multiple myeloma. At first, EMPs are frequently seen as masses or swellings, accompanied by nasal or pharyngeal symptoms. EMPs are of special interest to otolaryngologists, because the majority of these unusual tumors are present in soft tissues of the head and neck. We present the patient with EMPs of tonsil and adenoid and discuss the related literature on the presentation, epidemiology, workup and management of patient with this rare neoplasm.
