Immunoperoxidase characterization of a malignant plasma cell tumor involving the mandible

An immunoperoxidase technique was used to characterize a malignant plasma cell tumor of the mandible in a patient with multiple myeloma. The neoplasm was found to produce only lambda light chains. This type of myeloma is rare and has a more grave prognosis than those which produce gamma or alpha heavy chains, or kappa light chains. The immunoperoxidase technique and the importance of immunologic characterization of malignant plasma cell tumors of the oral region are discussed.