Phagocytic myeloma cells. Report of a case and review of the literature.

The authors have reviewed 17 cases of the phagocytic multiple myeloma, including seven cases reported in Japan but not cited in the English literature and an additional new case investigated in the authors' laboratory. They would like to add these Japanese cases to the English literature. The salient features of these 17 cases were summarized to have a better understanding of the clinical aspects as well as of the pathogenesis of the phagocytic myeloma cells. The following two clinical points should be noted: The erythrophagocytosis by myeloma cells may be responsible for the hemolytic anemia in multiple myeloma. Myeloma cells were found in the peripheral blood in more cases of this series than expected. The pathogenesis of this phenomenon, related to the cellular origin of plasma cells, may be interpreted differently, as discussed in this report.