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World J Gastrointest Endosc. Jan 16, 2010; 2(1): 44-46
Published online Jan 16, 2010. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v2.i1.44
Published online Jan 16, 2010. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v2.i1.44
Rectal bleeding as a presenting symptom of AL amyloidosis and multiple myeloma
Itay Maza, Rami A Eliakim, Department of Gastroenterology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion School of Medicine, Haifa 31096, Israel
Evgene Vlodavsky, Department of Pathology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion School of Medicine, Haifa 31096, Israel
Author contributions: Both Maza I and Eliakim RA treated the patient and wrote the article; Vlodavsky E examined the pathology specimens.
Correspondence to: Itay Maza, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Technion School of Medicine, PO Box 9602, Haifa 31096, Israel. i_maza@rambam.health.gov.il
Telephone: +972-4-8541777 Fax: +972-4-8543252
Received: February 25, 2009
Revised: August 20, 2009
Accepted: August 27, 2009
Published online: January 16, 2010
Revised: August 20, 2009
Accepted: August 27, 2009
Published online: January 16, 2010
Abstract
Amyloidosis of the gastrointestinal tract is a rare disease that presents with common, nonspecific signs and symptoms. It may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus. The clinical and endoscopic features are diverse and may mimic other diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, malignancy, ischemic colitis and, at times, collagenous colitis. We describe an uncommon case of rectal bleeding and anemia with polypoid lesions and ulcerations in the colon, as the presenting symptom of AL amyloidosis and light chain multiple myeloma.
Keywords: Amyloidosis, Multiple myeloma, Colonic polyp, Rectal bleeding