Multiple Myeloma in the Practice of a Primary Care Physician: A Clinical Case

Aim. To demonstrate difficulties in diagnosing multiple myeloma at the out-patient stage on the example of a clinical case.

Materials and methods. The course of establishing a diagnosis in a 58-year-old patient complaining of pain in the hip joint was analysed on the basis of the patient’s medical records both at the out-patient and in-patient stages.

Results. A case of multiple myeloma occurring under the guise of common degenerative-dystrophic diseases is presented. An oncological diagnosis was suspected due to the patient’s complains of persistent pain, which was poorly relieved by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain agents, and progressive changes in the general blood test (acceleration of ESR to 40 mm/h, and then to 50 mm/h; reduction of hemoglobin from 145 g/l to 134 g/l). The diagnostic search started with an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity and pelvic organs, which revealed both an extensive formation in the pelvis in the right iliac region and the lymphadenopathy of the inguinal lymph nodes. Subsequently, spiral computed tomography of the abdominal cavity and the pelvis was conducted. In all bones at the study level, multiple spherical solid formations with uneven contours causing destruction of bone tissue were detected, allowing myeloma to be suspected. The patient was referred to the Republican Clinical Oncology Dispensary, where a percutaneous biopsy of the retroperitoneal neoplasm, as well as morphological and immunohistochemical studies, were carried out. As a result, the following diagnosis was established: multiple stage IIIA myeloma, first detected, with damage to the thoracic, lumbosacral spine, ribs, pelvic, and thigh bones. The patient was hospitalised in the Hematology Department of the First Republican Clinical Hospital, where he underwent chemotherapy according to the VCD scheme (bortezomib, dexamethasone, cyclophosphomide), and was discharged with improvement.

Conclusion. The diagnosis of multiple myeloma is a challenging task for a primary care physician due to the diversity of the clinical picture and the lack of clinical suspicion. At the same time, timely diagnosis of the disease at the out-patient stage can significantly increase the effectiveness of treatment and, therefore, improve the prognosis. Thus, more attention should be paid to the differential diagnosis of degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system and multiple myeloma.