Scleromyxedema.

BACKGROUND

Scleromyxedema is a rare fibromucinous disorder that is often difficult to treat and that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to study the natural history of the disease and its response to therapy with alkylating agents.

METHODS

A clinicopathologic review of 26 patients with scleromyxedema was performed, and the extracutaneous findings and response to therapy with alkylating agents were noted.

RESULTS

Extracutaneous manifestations, most often gastrointestinal, were present in 20 of 26 patients. An abnormal paraprotein was found in 23 of 26 patients, most commonly IgG-lambda (18 patients). Melphalan was used as therapy for 17 patients. The disease proved fatal in 10 of the treated patients.

CONCLUSION

The overall prognosis in scleromyxedema is poor. Therapy is difficult. Although alkylating agents may prove beneficial in the short term, significant toxicity of these agents is apparent with long-term use.