Early diagnosis followed by front-line autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for patients affected by POEMS syndrome

The acronym POEMS refers to polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, skin changes. This disease is progressive and weakening for patients and lead to death generally for neurological problem without therapy. We treated four patients affected by POEMS syndrome with front-line chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (aPBSCT). After a median follow-up of 40.5 months (range 12-52), all patients are alive with slow but progressive improvement in neurological disease, skin changes, performance status and without evidence of clonal plasmacytosis and organomegaly. In conclusion early diagnosis is crucial to obtain best response and improve clinical outcome. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.