IgA Orbital Plasmacytoma in Multiple Myeloma

Ocular complications of plasma cell dyscrasias

Plasma cell dyscrasias are a wide range of severe monoclonal gammopathies caused by pre-malignant or malignant plasma cells that over-secrete an abnormal monoclonal antibody. These disorders are associated with various systemic findings, including ophthalmological disorders. A search of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane databases was performed in March 2021 to examine evidence pertaining to ocular complications in patients diagnosed with plasma cell dyscrasias. This review outlines the ocular complications associated with smoldering multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, plasmacytomas, multiple myeloma, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, systemic amyloidosis, Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy and Skin changes (POEMS) syndrome, and cryoglobulinemia. Although, the pathological mechanisms are not completely elucidated yet, wide-ranging ocular presentations have been identified over the years, evolving both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Moreover, the presenting symptoms also help in early diagnosis in asymptomatic patients. Therefore, it is imperative for the treating ophthalmologist and oncologist to maintain a high clinical suspicion for identifying the ophthalmological signs and diagnosing the underlying disease, preventing its progression through efficacious treatment strategies.

Orbital Involvement in Multiple Myeloma

PURPOSE

To characterize clinical and radiographic features, management, and outcomes of patients with orbital involvement of multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS

A retrospective chart review identified patients with MM and orbital involvement confirmed by histopathology at a single institution between 1995 and 2021. A comprehensive literature review was performed via PubMed to identify all previously reported cases of orbital MM.

RESULTS

Retrospective review identified 7 patients (43% male, mean age 68.7 years). Presenting symptoms included proptosis and diplopia. Orbital lesions were primarily located laterally (42.8%) with associated extraocular muscle (57.1%) or lacrimal gland (42.9%) involvement. Five patients (71.4%) had a previous diagnosis of systemic MM. Six patients received chemoradiation (85.7%). All patients had improvement of orbital disease with 2 patients deceased due to disease at follow-up (mean 8.9 months). Literature review identified 111 cases (46.8% male, mean age 58.6 years). 48.6% presented with orbital disease as the first manifestation of systemic MM. Lesions were most commonly located superolaterally (20.2%) with extraocular muscle infiltration (25.2%), lacrimal gland involvement (7.2%), and orbital bony destruction (39.6%). Treatments included chemoradiation, chemotherapy, or radiation alone. Approximately half (51.4%) of patients experienced improvement in orbital disease following treatment, and 48.6% were deceased at follow-up (mean 20.1 months).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a new retrospective study and updated comprehensive literature review regarding orbital MM. Given its poor prognosis, characterization of orbital MM is essential for early diagnosis. Orbital MM is often unilateral, located superolaterally, and may represent the first manifestation of systemic disease. Treatment includes chemotherapy and radiation, which may improve orbital disease; however, the overall prognosis remains poor.

Orbital plasmacytoma as the presenting feature in multiple myeloma

A 50-year-old female patient presented with protrusion of the left eye for 1 month. Examination showed abaxial proptosis, restriction of extraocular movements, and elevated intraocular pressure. Computed tomography of the orbits showed soft tissue enhancing lesion in the superolateral aspect of the left orbit with lytic lesions in calvarium. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the lesion revealed a diagnosis of plasmacytoma with positive CD138 and CD38 immunohistochemical stains. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and serum lactate dehydrogenase were elevated. Serum protein electrophoresis revealed hypergammaglobulinemia, and bone marrow biopsy revealed 6% plasma cells. The patient was started on chemotherapy with bortezomib, dexamethasone and lenalidomide by the medical oncologist. Significant improvement in proptosis and extraocular movements noted on follow-up. Orbital myeloma may be the first manifestation of systemic disease.

Orbital lymphoma

Orbital lymphomas constitute 50-60% of ocular adnexal lymphomas. A total of 2211 cases of orbital lymphoma with a known subtype have been reported in the last 24 years (1994-2017). The vast majority of orbital lymphomas are of B-cell origin (97%), of which extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (EMZL) (59%) is the most common subtype, followed by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (23%), follicular lymphoma (9%), and mantle cell lymphoma (5%). Orbital lymphoma is primarily a disease of the elderly. Gender distribution varies according to lymphoma subtype. However, extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (53%) and follicular lymphoma (75%) show a female predominance, whereas diffuse large B-cell lymphoma shows an even gender distribution. Mantle cell lymphoma has a striking male predominance of 80%. The histopathological subtype and the clinical stage of the disease are the best indicators of prognosis and patient outcome. Low-grade lymphomas such as extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma and FL have a good prognosis, whereas high-grade lymphomas (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma) are associated with a poor prognosis. When managing solitary low-grade lymphomas, radiotherapy is the treatment of choice. Chemotherapy, with or without radiotherapy, should be chosen for disseminated and high-grade lymphomas.

Diplopia and variable ptosis as the sole initial findings in a case of orbital plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma

Plasmacytomas are monoclonal plasma cell tumors. They represent 3% of all orbital tumors. We present an unusual case of orbital plasmacytoma and advanced multiple myeloma where the sole presenting symptoms were those of diplopia and ptosis. Clinical examination revealed right hypertropia and variable left upper lid ptosis but no proptosis. The visual acuity and the rest of the ocular examination were normal in both eyes. An MRI scan of the brain and orbits revealed a frontal bone lesion consistent with a plasmacytoma. A bone marrow biopsy showed a light chain multiple myeloma with free lambda light chains. Although the literature reports diplopia and ptosis as being clinical features of orbital plasmacytomas, to our knowledge this is the first reported case where these symptoms were the only presenting features, despite widespread disease.