Vertebral plasma cell tumors in 8 dogs

The case histories of 8 dogs with spinal pain and neurologic deficits assoc iated with vertebral plasma cell tumor are reviewed. Four dogs had solitary plasmacytoma, 3 had multiple myeloma, and 1 dog had 2 vertebral lesions wi th no evidence of disseminated disease. Pour dogs were treated: 2 with mult iple myeloma received chemotherapy only and survived 17 and 26 months, resp ectively. Two dogs with solitary plasmacytomas of the spine had chemotherap y and radiotherapy: the Ist survived 4 months and was euthanized after deve loping radiation myelopathy; the 2nd survived 65 months before developing m ultiple myeloma. The diagnosis of solitary plasmacytoma of the spine versus multiple myeloma is discussed.