Solitary myeloma. A study of 10 black patients during an 8-year period.
Solitary myeloma of bone occurred in 10 Black patients during the 8-year period from 1967 to 1974. In 4 patients, the solitary myeloma involved the bones of the paranasal sinuses, in 3 patients the pelvis, and in 3 others the manubrium sterni. An IgG monoclonal gammopathy was present in the serum of 4 patients and Bence-Joanes proteinuria was found in 1 patient. Radiation therapy was the treatment of choice and the recommended tumour dosage is 4000-5000 rads. Serial measurements of serum and urine protein electrophoresis and immuno-electrophoresis were most helpful in determining when patients had achieved a complete remission. In 3 patients, 1 of whom died, the myeloma disseminated in periods varying from 26 months to 7 years. Nine patients are alive, of whom 7 are in complete remission, and 5 have lived for more than 5 years since the initial diagnosis of solitary myeloma.