Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (692 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Any discrete, presumably solitary, mass of neoplastic plasma cells either in bone marrow or various extramedullary sites.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Plasmacytomas; Plasma Cell Tumor; Plasma Cell Tumors; Tumor, Plasma Cell; Tumors, Plasma Cell; Plasmocytoma; Plasmocytomas.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Neoplasms, Plasma Cell; Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Related concepts
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 9,041 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Plasmacytoma” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 442 of them (4.9%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 6,581 records.
Reviews account for 752 records (8.3%) and meta-analyses for 7. Randomized controlled trials number 4 (0.0%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 6,581 |
| 2000-2009 | 1,022 |
| 2010-2019 | 996 |
| 2020 onward | 442 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 752 | 8.3% |
| Meta-analyses | 7 | 0.1% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 4 | 0.0% |
Method: PubMed query "Plasmacytoma"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in cancer and oncology
Cancer research spans very different kinds of evidence. Laboratory studies in cell lines and animal models reveal mechanisms but often do not translate to patients. Early-phase trials mainly test safety and dosing, while phase 3 randomized trials and their meta-analyses are the usual basis for treatment conclusions. Outcomes also differ in meaning: tumour shrinkage, progression-free survival and overall survival are not interchangeable, and screening studies can be distorted by lead-time and overdiagnosis. When reading a result, check the cancer type and stage studied, the comparison treatment, and which outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extramedullary disease in multiple myeloma: a systematic literature review | 2022 | Systematic review Design not recorded in structured metadata | 239 | cc by PMID 35314675 · DOI · PMC8938478 |
| A review for solitary plasmacytoma of bone and extramedullary plasmacytoma | 2012 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 126 | cc by PMID 22654647 · DOI · PMC3354668 |
| Targeted ultra-deep sequencing reveals recurrent and mutually exclusive mutations of cancer genes in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm | 2014 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 67 | cc by PMID 25115387 · DOI · PMC4171639 |
| Extramedullary Disease-Achilles Heel in Myeloma? | 2026 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 7 | cc by PMID 41462032 · DOI · PMC12869003 |
Extramedullary disease in multiple myeloma: a systematic literature review [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Extramedullary involvement (or extramedullary disease, EMD) represents an aggressive form of multiple myeloma (MM), characterized by the ability of a clone and/or subclone to thrive and grow independent of the bone marrow microenvironment.
- Closing excerpt
- Prospective data from patients with clearly defined EMD are important for the optimal evaluation of treatment outcomes.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (281 words)
Extramedullary involvement (or extramedullary disease, EMD) represents an aggressive form of multiple myeloma (MM), characterized by the ability of a clone and/or subclone to thrive and grow independent of the bone marrow microenvironment. Several different definitions of EMD have been used in the published literature. We advocate that true EMD is restricted to soft-tissue plasmacytomas that arise due to hematogenous spread and have no contact with bony structures. Typical sites of EMD vary according to the phase of MM. At diagnosis, EMD is typically found in skin and soft tissues; at relapse, typical sites involved include liver, kidneys, lymph nodes, central nervous system (CNS), breast, pleura, and pericardium. The reported incidence of EMD varies considerably, and differences in diagnostic approach between studies are likely to contribute to this variability. In patients with newly diagnosed MM, the reported incidence ranges from 0.5% to 4.8%, while in relapsed/refractory MM the reported incidence is 3.4 to 14%. Available data demonstrate that the prognosis is poor, and considerably worse than for MM without soft-tissue plasmacytomas. Among patients with plasmacytomas, those with EMD have poorer outcomes than those with paraskeletal involvement. CNS involvement is rare, but prognosis is even more dismal than for EMD in other locations, particularly if there is leptomeningeal involvement. Available data on treatment outcomes for EMD are derived almost entirely from retrospective studies. Some agents and combinations have shown a degree of efficacy but, as would be expected, this is less than in MM patients with no extramedullary involvement. The paucity of prospective studies makes it difficult to justify strong recommendations for any treatment approach. Prospective data from patients with clearly defined EMD are important for the optimal evaluation of treatment outcomes.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 35314675 · DOI · PMC8938478
A review for solitary plasmacytoma of bone and extramedullary plasmacytoma [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Solitary plasmacytoma (SP) is characterized by a mass of neoplastic monoclonal plasma cells in either bone (SBP) or soft tissue without evidence of systemic disease attributing to myeloma.
- Closing excerpt
- By only RT application, long-term disease-free survival (DFS) is possible for approximately 30% of patients with SBP and 65% of patients with EMP.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (163 words)
Solitary plasmacytoma (SP) is characterized by a mass of neoplastic monoclonal plasma cells in either bone (SBP) or soft tissue without evidence of systemic disease attributing to myeloma. Biopsy confirmation of a monoclonal plasma cell infiltration from a single site is required for diagnosis. The common presentation of SBP is in the axial skeleton, whereas the extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is usually seen in the head and neck. The ratio of SP seen at males to females is 2 : 1 and the median age of patients is 55 years. The incidence rate of SP in black race is approximately 30% higher than the white race. Incidence rate increases exponentially by advancing age. SBP has a significant higher risk for progression to myeloma, and the choice of treatment is radiotherapy (RT) that is applied with curative intent at min. 4000 cGy. By only RT application, long-term disease-free survival (DFS) is possible for approximately 30% of patients with SBP and 65% of patients with EMP.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 22654647 · DOI · PMC3354668
Targeted ultra-deep sequencing reveals recurrent and mutually exclusive mutations of cancer genes in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare haematopoietic malignancy characterized by dismal prognosis and overall poor therapeutic response.
- Closing excerpt
- The mutual exclusive distribution of some mutations may point to different subgroups of BPDCN whose biological significance remains to be explored.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (155 words)
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare haematopoietic malignancy characterized by dismal prognosis and overall poor therapeutic response. Since the biology of BPDCN is barely understood, our study aims to shed light on the genetic make-up of these highly malignant tumors. Using targeted high-coverage massive parallel sequencing, we investigated 50 common cancer genes in 33 BPDCN samples. We detected point mutations in NRAS (27.3% of cases), ATM (21.2%), MET, KRAS, IDH2, KIT (9.1% each), APC and RB1 (6.1%), as well as in VHL, BRAF, MLH1, TP53 and RET1 (3% each). Moreover, NRAS-, KRAS- and ATM-mutations were found to be mutually exclusive and we observed recurrent mutations in NRAS, IDH2, APC and ATM. CDKN2A deletions were detected in 27.3% of the cases followed by deletions of RB1 (9.1%), PTEN and TP53 (3% each). The mutual exclusive distribution of some mutations may point to different subgroups of BPDCN whose biological significance remains to be explored.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 25115387 · DOI · PMC4171639
Extramedullary Disease-Achilles Heel in Myeloma? [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Despite advances in therapy, extramedullary disease (EMD) remains an aggressive form of multiple myeloma associated with poor outcomes.
- Closing excerpt
- Although the introduction of advanced imaging techniques and immunotherapy has led to improved detection and more promising outcomes and regimens, respectively, more prospective studies dedicated to true EMD are needed.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (93 words)
Despite advances in therapy, extramedullary disease (EMD) remains an aggressive form of multiple myeloma associated with poor outcomes. Patients with true EMD, in which plasmacytomas have become completely independent of bone, have a particularly poor prognosis. The pathogenesis of EMD is driven by complex mechanisms involving loss of adhesion molecules, heterogeneous genetic and epigenetic changes, and a solid tumor-like architecture within the microenvironment. Although the introduction of advanced imaging techniques and immunotherapy has led to improved detection and more promising outcomes and regimens, respectively, more prospective studies dedicated to true EMD are needed.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41462032 · DOI · PMC12869003
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Specific chromosomal translocations and the genesis of B-cell-derived tumors in mice and men [5]
- Research article Immunoglobulin-producing tumors and myeloma proteins of mice [6]
- Research article Soft-tissue plasmacytomas in multiple myeloma: incidence, mechanisms of extramedullary spread, and treatment approach [7]
- Research article Diagnosis, treatment, and response assessment in solitary plasmacytoma: updated recommendations from a European Expert Panel [8]
- Research article Radiation Therapy for Solitary Plasmacytoma and Multiple Myeloma: Guidelines From the International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group [9]
- Research article Expert review on soft-tissue plasmacytomas in multiple myeloma: definition, disease assessment and treatment considerations [10]
References
- Bladé J, Beksac M, Caers J, Jurczyszyn A, von Lilienfeld-Toal M, Moreau P, et al.. Extramedullary disease in multiple myeloma: a systematic literature review. . 2022. PMID 35314675 · DOI · PMC8938478
- Kilciksiz S, Karakoyun-Celik O, Agaoglu FY, Haydaroglu A. A review for solitary plasmacytoma of bone and extramedullary plasmacytoma. . 2012. PMID 22654647 · DOI · PMC3354668
- Stenzinger A, Endris V, Pfarr N, Andrulis M, Jöhrens K, Klauschen F, et al.. Targeted ultra-deep sequencing reveals recurrent and mutually exclusive mutations of cancer genes in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. . 2014. PMID 25115387 · DOI · PMC4171639
- Kumar S, Richter J, Usmani SZ, Cohen YC, Ye JC, Mateos MV, et al.. Extramedullary Disease-Achilles Heel in Myeloma?. . 2026. PMID 41462032 · DOI · PMC12869003
- Klein G. Specific chromosomal translocations and the genesis of B-cell-derived tumors in mice and men. Cell. 1983. PMID 6402307 · DOI
- Potter M. Immunoglobulin-producing tumors and myeloma proteins of mice. Physiol Rev. 1972. PMID 4555516 · DOI
- Bladé J, Fernández de Larrea C, Rosiñol L, Cibeira MT, Jiménez R, Powles R. Soft-tissue plasmacytomas in multiple myeloma: incidence, mechanisms of extramedullary spread, and treatment approach. J Clin Oncol. 2011. PMID 21900099 · DOI
- Caers J, Paiva B, Zamagni E, Leleu X, Bladé J, Kristinsson SY, et al.. Diagnosis, treatment, and response assessment in solitary plasmacytoma: updated recommendations from a European Expert Panel. J Hematol Oncol. 2018. PMID 29338789 · DOI · PMC5771205
- Tsang RW, Campbell BA, Goda JS, Kelsey CR, Kirova YM, Parikh RR, et al.. Radiation Therapy for Solitary Plasmacytoma and Multiple Myeloma: Guidelines From the International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2018. PMID 29976492 · DOI
- Rosiñol L, Beksac M, Beksac M, Zamagni E, Van de Donk NWCJ, Anderson KC, et al.. Expert review on soft-tissue plasmacytomas in multiple myeloma: definition, disease assessment and treatment considerations. Br J Haematol. 2021. PMID 33724461 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.