[Therapeutic plasmapheresis in the treatment of plasmacytoma]

In high concentrations of paraproteins in the plasma in the plasmocytoma a hyperviscosity syndrome appears which is characterized by severe disturbances of circulation in various organs. Apart from the usual intermittent cytostatic therapy with melphalan and prednisone in the phase of the primary treatment the therapy of the hypoviscosity syndrome is of particular importance. In these cases in our clinic the therapeutic plasmapheresis stood the test. It is reported on three patients with plasmocytoma and hyperviscosity syndrome, in whom in 1979 apart from the cytostatic treatment repeatedly plasmapheresis were carried out. Furthermore, references to the practical performance of the plasmapheresis with reinfusion of the autologous erythrocytes are given. On the basis of the impressionable improvement of the hyperviscosity syndrome, the slight cost and expenditure of time as well as of the minimum load of the patients the plasmapheresis is recommended as a firm constituent of the therapy of the plasmocytoma.