A 74-Year-Old Patient with an Extramedullary Plasmacytoma: A Case Report

Abstract In this case report, we describe an extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) of the trachea in a 74-year-old female. She presented with a subglottic stenosis that causes 70% obstruction of the subglottis and severe dyspnea since 3 months. A flexible laryngoscopy was performed and showed a subglottis stenosis grade 3. Magnetic resonance imaging neck revealed an endoluminal mass at the level of the proximal trachea with full obliteration of the lumen. A biopsy was performed and the histopathological study identified a plasma cell neoplasm or a plasmacytoma with a kappa light chain restriction. After direct laryngoscopy with biopsy, the dyspnoea worsened, and a tracheotomy was performed. Localised radiotherapy of the trachea was started with complete remission. One month after radiation therapy, the EMP was reduced in size and the tracheostomy tube could be decannulated. Three weeks later the lumen of the tracheostomy was closed. Three months after treatment, the patient is still in good condition. Extramedullary plasmacytomas of the trachea are extremely rare tumors but should be considered as a differential diagnosis in the workup of a tracheal tumor. The treatment of choice is radiation therapy. Annual follow-up and evaluation of local recurrence or possible progression to malignant melanoma is mandatory. Cite this article as: Smolders Y, Ocak I, Van Laer C. A 74-year old patient with an extramedullary plasmacytoma: A case report. B-ENT 2024;20(3):199-201.