POEMS Syndrome

POEMS syndrome is a rare blood disorder that can impact multiple body systems. With POEMS, your body makes abnormal plasma cells that multiply out of control. These cells release a substance called a monoclonal protein (or M-protein) into your blood. Having too many abnormal plasma cells and too much M-protein can damage your nerves and organs.

POEMS syndrome gets its name from its most common signs and symptoms:

• Polyneuropathy involves nerve damage throughout your body. With POEMS, the damage may cause pain or other unpleasant sensations in your legs, arms, feet or hands.
• Organomegaly is abnormally large organs. With POEMS, your liver, spleen and lymph nodes may become enlarged.
• Endocrinopathy is a hormone problem. With POEMS, your endocrine glands may release an abnormal amount of hormones.
• Monoclonal protein (M-protein) is the protein that builds up in your blood with POEMS. M-proteins accumulate when a single plasma cell makes too many copies, or clones, of itself. Each plasma cell releases M-proteins into your blood so that eventually you have too many of them.
• Skin changes that occur with POEMS include darkening, thickening and other changes.

POEMS syndrome is also called osteosclerotic myeloma, Crow-Fukase syndrome, PEP syndrome and Takatsuki syndrome.

Who does POEMS syndrome affect?

POEMS syndrome is rare. Anywhere from 300 to 300,000 people have it. POEMS syndrome typically affects people in their 50s and 60s. Although it affects people regardless of sex, it’s more common in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB).