Abstract

Myeloma is a disease of neoplastic B lymphocytes that synthesize abnormal amounts of immunoglobulin (Ig) or Ig fragments. Ten to twenty percent of myeloma patients are known to develop clinical evidence of amyloid-light chain(AL) amyloidosis. A high index of suspicion, however, is needed to make a diagnosis of amyloidosis. We report a case of multiple myeloma with AL amyloidosis successfully treated with autologous stem cell transplantation. In our case, the patient presented with longstanding abdominal discomfort and anterior chest pain. Chest X-ray showed several osteolytic changes on ribs. Endoscopic biopsy revealed massive amyloid deposits in the wall of stomach and rectum. Serum/urine protein electroporesis and bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. At 18 months after high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation(ASCT), the patient maintained a complete response. In patients with multiple myeloma with AL amyloidosis, high dose chemotherapy and ASCT can be effective treatment strategy.

• Keywords: Amyloidosis, Multiple myeloma, Stem cell transplantation