PLASMA CELL TUMORS OF THE NASAL AND NASOPHARYNGEAL MUCOSA

Abstract
Most of the textbooks on pathology make little if any mention of plasma cell tumors except those occurring in the bone marrow, the plasma cell myelomas. Ewing,1 however, in his work on neoplastic diseases, discussed extramedullary plasma cell tumors, and stated that in a rather numerous group of tumors of the mucous membranes and lymph nodes the growth is composed exclusively of plasma cells. He said: Considering their comparative frequency and rather peculiar clinical course, they have received inadequate attention. The growths occur chiefly in the nasopharynx, alveolar borders, tongue, lips, and cervical lymph nodes, but they have been observed in many other regions. The course is relatively slow, but they may recur after extirpation and become associated with a chronic cachexia. They are commonly classed as lymphosarcoma, but being, as a rule, benign processes with very indistinct neoplastic properties, it is highly important that they should be separated