Case series on POEMS Syndrome- a rare paraneoplastic disorder

Abstract

POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome or Takatsuki syndrome, is a rare paraneoplastic disorder linked to an underlying plasma cell neoplasm. The acronym POEMS stands for the key features of the syndrome: Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal Plasma Cell Disorder, and Skin changes (1). In addition to these main features, patients may also experience papilledema, fluid overload, sclerotic bone lesions, elevated blood cell counts (thrombocytosis/erythrocytosis), high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a higher risk of thrombosis, and abnormal lung function tests (2).