What is poems syndrome?

4 May 2021

It is a rare and serious chronic hematological condition that produces neurological and organic damage, causing diverse symptoms that can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

POEMS syndrome origin is unknown, but it has been identified that those who suffer from it have an excess of plasma cells, which generate large amounts of monoclonal protein that damages various organs.

Signs and symptoms POEMS syndrome

POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome or Takatsuki disease, includes the following conditions and symptoms:

  • Polyneuropathy:
    • Tingling in the upper and lower limbs.
    • Difficulty breathing.
  • Organomegaly:
    • Increased volume of organs such as:
      • Lymph nodes.
      • Liver.
      • Spleen.
  • Endocrinopathy:
    • Hypothyroidism.
    • Hyperparathyroidism.
    • Diabetes.
    • Sexual dysfunctions.
    • Tiredness.
    • Edema.
    • Metabolic alterations.
  • Monoclonal gammopathy:
    • Bone anomalies.
    • Abnormal antibodies.
  • Skin disorders:
    • Hyperpigmentation.
    • Skin thickening.
    • Reddish spots.
    • Appearance of a greater amount of facial hair.

Diagnosis and treatment POEMS syndrome

It is not easy to diagnose POEMS syndrome because the symptoms can be similar to those of several conditions, so blood tests must be performed to verify hormonal and antibody levels.

POEMS syndrome, being a chronic condition, cannot be cured, so therapy focuses on controlling the symptoms, delaying the progression of the disease, and preventing serious complications through:

  • Chemotherapy.
  • Radiation therapy.
  • Hematopoietic cell transplant.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments POEMS syndrome

Internal Medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • cun.es
  • aeped.es
  • topdoctors.es
  • middlesexhealth.org
  • stanfordchildrens.org
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • medigraphic.com
  • Herrera-Olivares W, González-Ramírez MF, Flores-Encarnación E. Síndrome POEMS. A propósito de un caso. Rev Esp Med Quir. 2014;19(2):185-191.
  • Gracia-Ramos AE, Cruz-Domínguez MP, Vera-Lastra OL. Enfermedad de Castleman multicéntrica hialina vascular Una variante de POEMS. Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2013;51(4):464-467.
  • Valdés ÁK, Senra AL, Aguilar LG. Síndrome de POEMS. Rev cubana med. 2013;52(1):78-84.

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