A Case Report on Plasma Cell Leukemia Presenting as a Chest Wall Mass

Abstract

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is an uncommon neoplasm of plasma cells with an aggressive clinical course and a poor outcome, even with the current standard of care. It can occur either de novo (primary PCL) or as a progression of multiple myeloma (MM). This disease has unique diagnostic criteria, but certain genetic markers and clinical features may overlap with multiple myeloma (MM). Due to the low prevalence of PCL, guidelines on its management are extrapolated from the management of MM and are based on small retrospective studies and case reports/series. We report the case of a sixty-nine-year-old man referred to the hematology department for the diagnosis of pPCL, revealed by thoracic plasmacytomas mimicking a thoracic neoplasm. The diagnostic approach, management, and outcomes of PCL are discussed.