Pleural effusion as first sign of multiple myeloma

Pleural effusion caused by plasma cell involvement in multiple myeloma has been reported unfrequently, and has Been described at a frequency below 1% of multiple myeloma. In this study, we report an observation with pleural e ffusion as first symptom of multiple myeloma. The analysis of the pleural l iquid showed plasma cells with a monoclonal IgG Kappa immunoglobulin. In ad dition, there uns a bone marrow infiltration by plasma cells, a serum monoc lonal immunoglobulin of the same type and osteolytic lesions. Our patient h as received one course of chemotherapy with: vincristine, melphalan, cyclop hosphamide and prednisone. The patient did not respond to the therapy and d ied one month later: Pleural effusion seems to he an expression of agressiv e myeloma. Survival exceeds rarely 4 months.