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Clinical Problem Solving: Pathology
March 2004

Pathology Quiz Case 1—Diagnosis

Author Affiliations
 

FREDERIC B.ASKINMDWILLIAM H.WESTRAMD

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004;130(3):368. doi:10.1001/archotol.130.3.368

Plasma cell neoplasms most commonly involve the bone marrow in a diffuse fashion (multiple myeloma), but they may also present as a localized lesion of bone (solitary plasmacytoma of bone) or soft tissues (extramedullary plasmacytoma [EMP]), or any combination thereof. Extramedullary plasmacytomas account for less than 1% of all head and neck neoplasms, with approximately 80% occurring in the head and neck. The most common site involved is the sinonasal region (44%); only 11% of EMPs involve the larynx (<100 cases have been reported).1 Most patients are men (male-female ratio, 3-4 to 1)2 older than 50 years.3

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