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Pleural effusion in multiple myeloma
Author(s) -
Hughes John C.,
Votaw May L.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197909)44:3<1150::aid-cncr2820440353>3.0.co;2-u
Subject(s) - medicine , thoracentesis , multiple myeloma , pleural effusion , effusion , complication , pathology , heart failure , etiology , radiology , surgery
Two patients with multiple myeloma are described in whom an unusual complication developed: pleural effusion containing myeloma cells. There are 7 previously reported cases of myeloma in the English literature with this type of effusion. Pleural effusion in myeloma may be due to plasma cell infiltration of the pleura, congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolism, nephrotic syndrome, and second neoplasms. In view of these multiple etiologies, diagnostic thoracentesis should be performed in order to treat the effusion appropriately.