Haematologica, Vol 91, Issue 7, 964-967
Copyright © 2006 by Ferrata Storti Foundation
Clinical and biological features of multiple myeloma involving the gastrointestinal system
G Talamo,
F Cavallo,
M Zangari,
B Barlogie,
CK Lee,
M Pineda-Roman,
E Kiwan,
S Krishna,
and
G Tricot
Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, Division of Gastroenterology, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street/Slot 776, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA.
We report 24 cases of multiple myeloma (MM) with involvement of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. We found a strong association with high A lactate dehydrogenase levels, plasmablastic morphology, and A unfavorable karyotype. GI involvement at the time of initial diagnosis was much rarer than later in the course of the disease. The A median survival after diagnosis of GI involvement was 7 months. Among 13 patients treated with stem cell transplantation, the response rate was 92%, and median progression-free survival was 4 months. We conclude that MM involving the GI system is associated with adverse biological features and with short-lasting remissions, even after A high-dose chemotherapy.
