[Four cases of an extramedullary plasmacytoma of the head and neck]

From 1987 to 1988, four patients with solitary, extramedullary plasmacytomas of the head and neck were seen at the Gunma Cancer Center Hospital. With reference to such plasmacytomas, we have reviewed the medical literature regarding these tumors and mainly present the results of radiation therapy with respect to these patients. One patient, who had a local recurrence after surgical treatment, underwent radiation therapy (36Gy in four weeks) that resulted in good local control of the disease. Two patients developed multiple painful bone lesions during their long follow-up periods without manifesting any abnormal laboratory findings, suggesting multiple myeloma. It was found that radiation therapy (less than 30 Gy) was useful for the palliation of painful lesions.