Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, skin changes syndrome with dilated cardiomyopathy: A case report

BACKGROUND Polyneuropathy,organomegaly,endocrinopathy,M-protein,skin changes(POEMS)syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome that encompass multiple systems.The most common clinical symptoms of POEMS syndrome are pro-gressive sensorimotor polyneuropathy,organ enlargement,endocrine disorders,darkening skin,a monoclonal plasma cell proliferative disorder,and lymph node hyperplasia.The organomegaly consists of hepatosplenomegaly and/or lym-phadenopathy;cases of cardiomyopathy are rare.Diagnoses are often delayed because of the atypical nature of the syndrome,exposing patients to possibly severe disability.Therefore,identifying atypical symptoms can improve the prognosis and quality of life among POEMS syndrome patients.lenalidomide and dexamethasone.CONCLUSION When patients with cardiomyopathy have systemic manifestations such as numb limbs and darkening skin,the POEMS syndrome is the most possible diagnosis.

Polyneuropathy organomegaly endocrinopathy M-protein and skin changes syndrome with ascites as an early-stage manifestation:A case report

BACKGROUND Polyneuropathy organomegaly endocrinopathy M-protein and skin changes(POEMS)syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused by a potential plasma cell tumor.The clinical manifestations of POEMS syndrome are diverse.Due to the insidious onset and lack of specific early-stage manifestations,POEMS syndrome is easily misdiagnosed or never diagnosed,leading to delayed treatment.Neurological symptoms are usually the first clinical manifestation,while ascites is a rare symptom in patients with POEMS syndrome.CASE SUMMARY A female patient presented with unexplained ascites as an initial symptom,which is a rare early-stage manifestation of the condition.After 1 year,the patient gradually developed progressive renal impairment,anemia,polyserosal effusion,edema,swollen lymph nodes on the neck,armpits,and groin,and decreased muscle strength of the lower extremities.The patient was eventually diagnosed with POEMS syndrome after multidisciplinary team discussion.Treatment comprised bortezomib+dexamethasone,continuous renal replacement therapy,chest and abdominal closed drainage,transfusions of erythrocytes and platelets,and other symptomatic and supportive treatments.The patient’s condition initially improved after treatment.However,then her symptoms worsened,and she succumbed to the illness and died.CONCLUSION Ascites is a potential early manifestation of POEMS syndrome,and this diagnosis should be considered for patients with unexplained ascites.Furthermore,multidisciplinary team discussion is helpful in diagnosing POEMS syndrome.

Effective treatment of polyneuropathy,organomegaly,endocrinopathy,M-protein,and skin changes syndrome with congestive heart failure:A case report

BACKGROUND Polyneuropathy,organomegaly,endocrinopathy,M-protein,and skin changes(POEMS)syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused by a plasma cell proliferative disorder.The syndrome is characterized by elevated plasma cells,platelets,and vascular endothelial growth factor levels.Although heart disease rarely occurs in POEMS syndrome,the death rate increases sharply after heart failure.We report a patient who initially presented with an endocrine disease and developed congestive heart failure related to POEMS syndrome 9 years later.CASE SUMMARY A 23-year-old woman with no history of menstruation and a 9-year history of type I diabetes reported feeling breathless after activities.She could not lie down and rest at night.Three months prior,she experienced pain and increased tension in her left thigh accompanied by tenderness and edema in both lower extremities.The chief complaint upon hospital admission was that blood sugar has increased for more than 9 years,pain in the left thigh,and edema in both legs for more than 2 mo.After a multisystem evaluation,she was diagnosed with POEMS syndrome.Her echocardiogram showed left ventricular dilation with systolic dysfunction,and the left ventricular ejection fraction was only 38%with severely elevated brain natriuretic peptide.She received a combination of dexamethasone and thalidomide for 1 mo,but her symptoms did not improve.Therefore,we added a two-per-week bortezomib injection.After 2 wk,the patient’s heart function had improved significantly.CONCLUSION This case provides information about the treatment of POEMS syndrome with complications and highlights the challenges of developing a standardized treatment.

Treatment of Breast Cancer Accompanied by POEMS Syndrome:A Case Report

POLYNEUROPATHY, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes （POEMS） syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by the presence of a monoclonal plasma cell disorder, peripheral neuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and typical skin abnormalities. The cause of POEMS syndrome is unknown.1 Although numerous cases with POEMS syndrome have been reported, the POEMS syndrome patients with malignant tumor were seldom reported. Here, we present a rare case with breast cancer accompanied by POEMS syndrome.