Stroke after treatment with bortezomib and dexamethasone in a Chinese patient with extramedullary relapse of multiple myeloma

Thromboembolic complications commonly occur in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The risk of such complications may be elevated by the use of immuno-modulatory agents such as thalidomide and lenalidomide as initial therapy for MM. However, arterial thrombosis after treatment with bortezomib is rare. Herein we report a case of a 70-year-old Chinese male patient with extra-medullary relapse of MM. After treatment with bortezomib and dexamethasone he developed a nonfatal thrombotic stroke. Administration of bortezomib and dexamethasone was then discontinued and he obtained partial remission.