A case report of POEMS syndrome: A diagnostic challenge
7th World Hematologists Congress
May 08-09, 2017 Barcelona, Spain

Sunshine R Lariego, Heidi Abdurahman, Meldi Anuta and Rachel Ann Denila

Southern Philippines Medical Center, Philippines

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Blood Disord Transfus

Abstract:

Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome is a rare multiorgan disease that is characterized by polyneuropathy in the setting of plasma cell disorder. The pathogenesis of the syndrome is unknown but overproduction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is said to be responsible for most of the symptoms. There is no standard treatment for POEMS syndrome; however, there are emerging therapies, including radiation therapy, alkylator based therapies, and corticosteroids, that have shown to be beneficial. We present a case of a 34-year-old woman who came in due to ascites associated with upper and lower extremity weakness, paresthesia, skin changes and polycythemia. Criteria for POEMS syndrome were fulfilled and serum electrophoresis revealed the presence of M protein, thus confirming the diagnosis. After treatment combination of prednisone and melphalan, the patient�??s clinical status improved markedly. High degree of clinical suspicion may significantly alter the course of the disease.

Biography :

Email: shine_pdl@yahoo.com