Solitary plasmacytoma of bone and asymptomatic multiple myeloma

Most patients with multiple myeloma (MM) present with symptoms, have eviden ce of generalized disease, and require chemotherapy promptly to reduce the malignant clone. Some patients present with a local symptom from a single p lasmacytoma but no myeloma elsewhere. Such patients usually become free of symptoms after local radiotherapy, In patients with MM without symptoms, th e diagnosis is made on the basis of screening laboratory tests, In patients with either solitary plasmacytoma of bone or asymptomatic MM, systemic tre atment should be deferred until there is evidence of disease progression. ( Blood, 2000;96:2037-2044) (C) 2000 by The American Society of Hematology.