Testicular plasmacytoma following chemical orchiectomy: potential role of hypogonadism in myeloma proliferation

Leuk Lymphoma. 1998 Jan;28(3-4):437-42.

Abstract

We present a case of a 55 year old man with multiple myeloma who underwent autologous stem cell transplantation and subsequently developed testicular myeloma. Testicular enlargement was observed only after treatment of an incidental prostatic adenocarcinoma with chemical orchidectomy at a time when myeloma was controlled systemically. A subsequent bilateral surgical orchiectomy revealed plasmacytoma in both testis. Enhanced production of B-lymphocytes after castration has been reported and implicates testosterone as a possible negative regulator of B-cell production. We propose that the androgen deficient state may have contributed to the development of plasmacytoma of the testes in our patient. The regulatory role of sex steroids in B-cell development is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • B-Lymphocytes
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Hypogonadism / pathology*
  • Leukopoiesis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology*
  • Multiple Myeloma / therapy
  • Orchiectomy
  • Plasmacytoma / secondary*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Testicular Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Testosterone / physiology
  • Transplantation, Autologous

Substances

  • Testosterone