A Plasmacytoma of the Lateral Pharyngeal Wall: A Diagnostic Enigma

Plasmacytoma is a rare plasma cell dyscrasia that grows in bones or soft tissues such as the pharynx. Soft tissue plasmacytomas are rare, and a higher burden has been reported in the upper aero-digestive tract, often manifesting as hoarseness, dysphagia, or odynophagia. Due to their rarity, extramed...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lefika Bathobakae MD, MPH, Shayee Hasan MD, Aneeqa Shahid MD, Tyler Wilkinson MSc, Shajla Ajas MD, Mehandar Kumar MD, Sohail Qayyum MD, Amer Akmal MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2024-04-01
Series:Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/23247096241242237
Description
Summary:Plasmacytoma is a rare plasma cell dyscrasia that grows in bones or soft tissues such as the pharynx. Soft tissue plasmacytomas are rare, and a higher burden has been reported in the upper aero-digestive tract, often manifesting as hoarseness, dysphagia, or odynophagia. Due to their rarity, extramedullary plasmacytomas (EMPs) have unknown prognostic factors, and guidelines for optimal management are still lacking. However, radiation therapy and surgery have been used with positive outcomes. Herein, we describe a unique case of plasmacytoma of the pharyngeal tissue in a male patient with a history of HIV disease. The patient completed 28 sessions of radiation therapy, resulting in an improvement in his throat pain and hoarseness. Given the patient’s age and lack of traditional risk factors for head and neck cancers, his hoarseness and odynophagia proved to be a diagnostic conundrum. Although infrequent, soft tissue plasmacytomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of head and neck tumors.
ISSN:2324-7096