Radiotherapy as a primary treatment modality for a young man with a primary urethral plasmacytoma: case report and literature review

Primary urethral plasmacytoma is an extremely rare form of solitary plasmacytoma, with only 10 cases reported in the literature. It involves localized clonal proliferation of plasma cells without systemic disease. This report presents a 29-year-old man with acute urinary retention and a urethral mas...

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Main Authors: Soo How Lim, Tian Er Poh, Hong Chin Wee, Nur Shazwaniza Binti Awang Basry, Mohd Syazwan Bin Tajul Arifin, Kar Ying Yong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1528536/full
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author Soo How Lim
Soo How Lim
Tian Er Poh
Tian Er Poh
Hong Chin Wee
Hong Chin Wee
Nur Shazwaniza Binti Awang Basry
Mohd Syazwan Bin Tajul Arifin
Kar Ying Yong
Kar Ying Yong
author_facet Soo How Lim
Soo How Lim
Tian Er Poh
Tian Er Poh
Hong Chin Wee
Hong Chin Wee
Nur Shazwaniza Binti Awang Basry
Mohd Syazwan Bin Tajul Arifin
Kar Ying Yong
Kar Ying Yong
author_sort Soo How Lim
collection DOAJ
description Primary urethral plasmacytoma is an extremely rare form of solitary plasmacytoma, with only 10 cases reported in the literature. It involves localized clonal proliferation of plasma cells without systemic disease. This report presents a 29-year-old man with acute urinary retention and a urethral mass, confirmed as solitary plasmacytoma. The patient was treated with 45 Gy of local radiotherapy, resulting in complete tumor resolution without recurrence or progression at a 2-year follow-up. Given its rarity, treatment strategies for primary urethral plasmacytoma are not well-defined. Radiotherapy is preferred over surgery in young patients due to the radiosensitivity of plasma cell tumors and its ability to preserve sexual and urinary function. A review of previous cases treated with radiotherapy alone, using doses of 40–50 Gy, showed favorable outcomes with no recurrences reported over follow-up periods ranging from 6 months to 12 years. Only one patient experienced minor long-term complications. This report highlights the effectiveness of radiotherapy as a primary modality for managing primary urethral plasmacytoma, offering excellent local control while preserving organ function. Individualized treatment plans should consider patient age, fertility concerns, and tumor characteristics. Further research is necessary to optimize treatment protocols and long-term surveillance strategies due to the potential risk of recurrence or progression to multiple myeloma.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-19cd03342b6c4e6ba4e586c276f91cd52025-08-20T02:13:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-02-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15285361528536Radiotherapy as a primary treatment modality for a young man with a primary urethral plasmacytoma: case report and literature reviewSoo How Lim0Soo How Lim1Tian Er Poh2Tian Er Poh3Hong Chin Wee4Hong Chin Wee5Nur Shazwaniza Binti Awang Basry6Mohd Syazwan Bin Tajul Arifin7Kar Ying Yong8Kar Ying Yong9Clinical Research Centre, Miri Hospital, Miri, MalaysiaInstitute of Clinical Research, National Institute of Health, Selangor, MalaysiaClinical Research Centre, Miri Hospital, Miri, MalaysiaInstitute of Clinical Research, National Institute of Health, Selangor, MalaysiaInstitute of Clinical Research, National Institute of Health, Selangor, MalaysiaClinical Research Centre, Penang Hospital, Penang, MalaysiaPathology Department, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, MalaysiaSurgical Department, Miri Hospital, Miri, MalaysiaClinical Research Centre, Miri Hospital, Miri, MalaysiaMedical Department, Miri Hospital, Miri, MalaysiaPrimary urethral plasmacytoma is an extremely rare form of solitary plasmacytoma, with only 10 cases reported in the literature. It involves localized clonal proliferation of plasma cells without systemic disease. This report presents a 29-year-old man with acute urinary retention and a urethral mass, confirmed as solitary plasmacytoma. The patient was treated with 45 Gy of local radiotherapy, resulting in complete tumor resolution without recurrence or progression at a 2-year follow-up. Given its rarity, treatment strategies for primary urethral plasmacytoma are not well-defined. Radiotherapy is preferred over surgery in young patients due to the radiosensitivity of plasma cell tumors and its ability to preserve sexual and urinary function. A review of previous cases treated with radiotherapy alone, using doses of 40–50 Gy, showed favorable outcomes with no recurrences reported over follow-up periods ranging from 6 months to 12 years. Only one patient experienced minor long-term complications. This report highlights the effectiveness of radiotherapy as a primary modality for managing primary urethral plasmacytoma, offering excellent local control while preserving organ function. Individualized treatment plans should consider patient age, fertility concerns, and tumor characteristics. Further research is necessary to optimize treatment protocols and long-term surveillance strategies due to the potential risk of recurrence or progression to multiple myeloma.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1528536/fullplasmacytomaurethraltreatment modalityradiotherapypreserve functioncase report
spellingShingle Soo How Lim
Soo How Lim
Tian Er Poh
Tian Er Poh
Hong Chin Wee
Hong Chin Wee
Nur Shazwaniza Binti Awang Basry
Mohd Syazwan Bin Tajul Arifin
Kar Ying Yong
Kar Ying Yong
Radiotherapy as a primary treatment modality for a young man with a primary urethral plasmacytoma: case report and literature review
Frontiers in Oncology
plasmacytoma
urethral
treatment modality
radiotherapy
preserve function
case report
title Radiotherapy as a primary treatment modality for a young man with a primary urethral plasmacytoma: case report and literature review
title_full Radiotherapy as a primary treatment modality for a young man with a primary urethral plasmacytoma: case report and literature review
title_fullStr Radiotherapy as a primary treatment modality for a young man with a primary urethral plasmacytoma: case report and literature review
title_full_unstemmed Radiotherapy as a primary treatment modality for a young man with a primary urethral plasmacytoma: case report and literature review
title_short Radiotherapy as a primary treatment modality for a young man with a primary urethral plasmacytoma: case report and literature review
title_sort radiotherapy as a primary treatment modality for a young man with a primary urethral plasmacytoma case report and literature review
topic plasmacytoma
urethral
treatment modality
radiotherapy
preserve function
case report
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1528536/full
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