Simultaneous myelodisplasia and multiple myeloma successfully treated with lenalidomide

A 70 year-old woman was diagnosed with simultaneous multiple myeloma (MM) IgG/k and a myelodysplastic syndrome-refractory anemia (MDS-RA) because of severe anemia. A molecular cytogenetic study of the bone marrow showed trisomy 21 but did not show deletion of chromosome 5q.The patient was treated with lenalidomide for more than 3 years, achieving transfusion independence. While MDS is is seen in about 15% of treated patients with MM, this is a second case described of simultaneous MM and MDS in an untreated patient