Flow Cytometry Method as a Diagnostic Tool for Pleural Fluid Involvement in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma

Abstract

Multiple myeloma is a malignant proliferation of plasma cells that mainly affects bone marrow. Pleural effusions secondary to pleural myelomatous involvement have rarely been reported in the literature. As it is rarely detected, we aimed to report a case in which pleural effusion of a multiple myeloma was confirmed as true myelomatous involvement by flow cytometry method. A 52-years old man presented to our clinic with chest and back pain lasting for 3 months. On the chest radiography, pleural fluid was detected in left hemithorax. Pleural fluid flow cytometry was performed. In the flow cytometry, CD56, CD38 and CD138 found to be positive, while CD19 was negative. True myelomatous pleural effusions are very uncommon, with fewer than 100 cases reported worldwide. Flow cytometry is a potentially useful and simple method for detection of pleural fluid involvement in multiple myeloma.

Flow Cytometry and Effusions in Lymphoproliferative Processes and Other Hematologic Neoplasias

“…Body cavity effusions occurring in the setting of plasma cell myelomas are not common (∼6% of cases), and they are nonneoplastic (nonmyelomatous) in most cases due to congestive heart disease or kidney insufficiency, liver dysfunction (cirrhosis, hypoalbuminemia), or inflammation/infection [18,34,35,36]. Rarely (in less than 1% of cases) a myelomatous infiltration of serous membranes may be the cause of fluid accumulation (fig.…”

Flow cytometry characterization in central nervous system and pleural effusion multiple myeloma infiltration: an Italian national cancer institute experience

“…Multiparameter flow cytometry (FCM) has recently been shown to be a powerful technique for both diagnosis and minimal residual disease identification in myeloma patients (Paiva et al , ; Rawstron et al , ). However, to date, there is limited published experience regarding the use of FCM for the diagnosis of CNS and PE myelomatosis (Marini et al , ; Keklik et al , ). In this report, we describe clinical and biological features of six MM patients with CNS or PE myelomatosis diagnosed by FCM (Table ).…”

Cutaneous and pleural involvement in a patient with multiple myeloma

“…Chemotherapy is often used 11 15. As in our case, Keklik et al 16 opted for chemotherapy including VAD. Response rates do not exceed 70% in patients with advanced refractory disease 17…”