POEMS Syndrome

Symptoms

POEMS is an acronym for the syndrome's most common symptoms:

P — polyneuropathy: nerve disease (numbness, tingling, and weakness of the hands and feet).

O — organomegaly: organ enlargement (liver, lymph nodes or spleen).

E — endocrinopathy: disease affecting hormone-producing glands (sexual development, metabolic functions, thyroid hormones, etc.).

M — monoclonal gammopathy or monoclonal plasma proliferative disorder: a collection of abnormal blood protein cells.

S — skin changes: increased skin pigment, increased body hair, thickening of the skin, whitening of the nails, etc.

To receive a diagnosis of POEMS syndrome, patients must experience at least the "P" and the "M" as well as either sclerotic (scarring) bone lesions or Castleman disease, a coexisting condition. Patients will typically have at least one other feature (the "O", "E", or "S") as well as some abnormalities listed below.

Common abnormalities included in the syndrome include:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Edema (swelling of the ankles and legs)
• Enlarged breast tissue (occurs in both men and women)
• Generalized aches and pains
• Ascites (fluid collection in the abdomen)
• Pleural effusion (fluid collection in the lungs)
• Increased blood cell counts (increased platelet or red cell count)
• Changes in vision