[The POEMS syndrome--a rare multiorgan disease]

POEMS syndrome is a rare multisystemic disorder characterized by a variable constellation of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes. The syndrome is believed to be immune-mediated and is probably related to the pathological monoclonal component caused by a myeloma or a plasmocytoma. The treatment is aimed at the underlying plasma cell dyscrasia. We have studied three patients with this rare syndrome. This article presents the clinical picture of each one and a survey of the literature.