[An autopsy case of cerebral astrocytoma associated with multiple myeloma]

A case of cerebral astrocytoma associated with a systematic multiple myeloma is reported. A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of left hemiparesis. The CT scan revealed a cystic tumor at the right parietal lobe. A serum protein electrophoresis showed a monoclonal peak in the region of gamma-globulin, and examination of bone marrow revealed 15% of atypical plasma cells. After irradiation and chemotherapy, the patient suffered from DIC syndrome and died. Autopsy findings revealed a cerebral astrocytoma and bone marrow infiltration by myeloma cells in the sternum, vertebrae, costae, pelvis, and so on. So we finally diagnosed this case a cerebral astrocytoma with systematic multiple myeloma. In spite of the fact that systematic multiple myeloma is frequently accompanied with cancers at other sites (so called multiple primary cancers), the coexistence of a cerebral astrocytoma and systematic multiple myeloma is extremely rare. Complications of multiple myeloma with other tumors are reviewed.