An autopsy case of POEMS syndrome with a high level of IL-6 and VEGF in the serum and ascitic fluid

Intern Med. 2002 Mar;41(3):233-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.41.233.

Abstract

A 45-year-old woman was hospitalized because of systemic edema and peripheral nerve impairment. The patient had complications of organomegaly, endocrinopathy, and monoclonal gammmopathy, and was diagnosed with POEMS syndrome based on these characteristic signs and symptoms. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the serum and ascitic fluid were high. Many of the patient's symptoms were ameliorated, and IL-6 and VEGF levels in the serum and ascitic fluid decreased slightly during chemotherapy, but she died of respiratory failure. Autopsy revealed severe systemic edema and macroscopic hemorrhage in many organs, but VEGF and IL-6 producing cells were not found.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Ascitic Fluid / chemistry*
  • Autopsy
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / analysis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / analysis*
  • Interleukin-6 / analysis*
  • Lymphokines / analysis*
  • Middle Aged
  • POEMS Syndrome / metabolism*
  • POEMS Syndrome / pathology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Substances

  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lymphokines
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors