Case Report
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 14, 2006; 12(14): 2297-2300
Published online Apr 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i14.2297
Development of multiple myeloma in a patient with chronic hepatitis C: A case report and review of the literature
Peter Laszlo Lakatos, Sandor Fekete, Margit Horanyi, Simon Fischer, Margit E Abonyi
Peter Laszlo Lakatos, Simon Fischer, Margit E Abonyi, 1st Department of Medicine Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Sandor Fekete, Department of Hematology, Szent Laszlo Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
Margit Horanyi, Virus Laboratory, OGYK, Budapest, Hungary
Correspondence to: Peter Laszlo Lakatos, MD, PhD, 1st Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Koranyi str. 2/A, H-1083, Hungary. kislakpet@bel1.sote.hu
Telephone: +36-1-9117727 Fax: +36-1-3130250
Received: October 7, 2005
Revised: October 19, 2005
Accepted: November 10, 2005
Published online: April 14, 2006
Abstract

An association between chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and essential mixed cryoglobulinaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been suggested. However, a causative role of HCV in these conditions has not been established. The authors report a case of a 50 year-old woman with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) who has been followed up since 1998 due to a high viral load, genotype 1b and moderately elevated liver function tests (LFTs). Laboratory data and liver biopsy revealed moderate activity (grade: 5/18, stage: 1/6). In April 1999, one-year interferon therapy was started. HCV-RNA became negative with normalization of LFTs. However, the patient relapsed during treatment. In September 2002, the patient was admitted for chronic back pain. A CT examination demonstrated degenerative changes. In March 2003, multiple myeloma was diagnosed (IgG-kappa, bone ma-rrow biopsy: 50% plasma cell infiltration). MRI revealed a compression fracture of the 5th lumbar vertebral body and an abdominal mass in the right lower quadrant, infiltrating the canalis spinalis. Treatment with vincristine, adriamycin and dexamethasone (VAD) was started and bisphosphonate was administered regularly. In January 2004, after six cycles of VAD therapy, the multiple myeloma regressed. Thalidomide, as a second line trea-tment of refractory multiple myeloma (MM) was initiated, and followed by peginterferon-α2b and ribavirin against the HCV infection in June. In June 2005, LFTs returned to normal, while HCV-RNA was negative, demonstrating an end of treatment response. Although a pathogenic role of HCV infection in malignant lymphoproliferative disorders has not been established, NHL and possibly MM may develop in CHC patients, supporting a role of a complex follow-up in these patients.

Keywords: HCV; Multiple myeloma; Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma; Extrahepatic manifestation