Introduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) is plasma cell neoplasm affecting persons over the age 60. Less than 2% of the cases occur below the age 40. MM accounts for about 1 % of all cancers and slightly more than 10 % of hematologic malignancies in the United States (US). It typically has one or more of the symptoms listed in the acronym CRAB (hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia, bone pain). Rare symptoms, like joint involvement may cause significant delays in treatment and adverse outcomes.
Case Presentation: A young 38-year-old female presenting with an unusual presentation of inflammatory arthritis before the diagnosis of MM with 50% plasma cells on bone marrow biopsy.
Conclusion: Atypical presentation of MM challenged physicians and caused a delay in treating this life-threatening malignancy. Lack of response to treatment with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should encourage us to re-evaluate the initial diagnosis and consider alternatives. Evaluating patients suspected of having MM in a timely manner is critical since a significant diagnostic delay has been associated with a negative impact on the progression of the disease