Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia with polyneuropathy and IgA-paraprotein

A 65-year-old woman had chronic myelomonocytic leukemia with peripheral neuropathy and IgA paraprotein with kappa type light chain. Plasma cells with "flaming" cytoplasma were seen in the bone marrow specimens. The findings suggest that chronic myelomonocytic leukemia may involve B-lymphocytes in the proliferative process and that it may be a clonal disease. Moreover, this case was associated with peripheral sensori-motor polyneuropathy. The disorder was responsive to prednisolone, as oral administration of prednisolone improved not only the peripheral polyneuropathy, but also the hematological findings. Serum vitamin B12 and lysozyme in the serum and urine were decreased by the steroid therapy. The administration of prednisolone is effective not only for polyneuropathy but also chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.