Multiple myeloma in a young patient

Abstract

Multiple myeloma is a type B blood cancer characterized by clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells. The median age at diagnosis is 70 years, however, it is rare among younger patients, and less than 0.5% are younger than 30 years. A 33-year-old man, who began with progressive acute kidney injury is presented, accompanied by a severe lower back pain and impossibility to walk. A dorso-lumbar spine CT scan showed an extensive process consisting of multiple osteolytic lesions at T12, L2, ribs, pelvic and proximal femur. Radiology, along with histology, bone marrow aspiration and protein electrophoresis analysis allowed to establish the diagnosis of stage III multiple myeloma, after which the patient received chemotherapy. Despite the rarity of multiple myeloma among young patients, this diagnosis should be evoked when clinical, biological and radiological signs are in favour. There appears to be no difference between younger and older patients in disease presentation, although longer survival was reported among younger patients.