Multiple myeloma in a patient with acromegaly

• Published in: Endocrinology and metabolism (Seoul) 2015, 30(1), , pp.110-115
• Main Authors: Kang, Yu Mi, Choi, Jong Han, Lee, Min Jung, Ahn, Ari, Park, Chan Jeoung, Chang, Kiju, Seo, Seyoung, Hong, Sun In, Kim, Min Seon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acromegaly; Case Report; Insulin-like growth factor I; Multiple myeloma; 내과학
• ISSN: 2093-596X; 2093-5978
• DOI: 10.3803/EnM.2015.30.1.110

Acromegaly is a slowly progressing condition resulting from excess growth hormone (GH), generally caused by a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma. Cancer is the third most common cause of mortality in patients with acromegaly, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is known to influence tumor formation by increasing cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell neoplasm, and previous studies have suggested the possible role of IGF-1 in its development of MM. However, no cases of acromegaly accompanied with MM have been reported in Asia to date. We here report the case of a 58-year-old woman with acromegaly accompanied with MM who presented with longstanding acromegalic manifestations resulting from a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma and also exhibited anemia, a reversed albumin/globulin ratio, and plasmacytosis on bone marrow examination. Because IGF-1 has been suggested to play an important role in the development and progression of MM, the patient promptly underwent surgical removal of the pituitary adenoma via a transsphenoidal approach. Since there is currently no consensus on therapeutic guidelines and suggested prognosis for MM with acromegaly, long-term follow-up of such cases is needed.