Plasmacytoma arising in the vicinity of a foreign body in the nasal cavity.

The development of a plasmacytoma in the vicinity of a long residing metallic foreign body in the nasal cavity is presented. In spite of the multitude of reports concerning neoplasma associated with trauma, most of which arise in chronic scars, this presentation is very rare. It is speculated that the plasma cell proliferation, occurring nearby the foreign body, roots from an immunologic and granulomatous reaction. This case is discussed in light of the vast data on foreign body tumorigenesis obtained from laboratory animals, and the implications of this data are outlined. Further attention should be drawn to the clinical associations of malignant processes co-existing with long-standing foreign bodies.