[POEMS syndrome: role and value of interleukin-6].

POEMS syndrome is a systemic disorder with peripheral neuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes. The association of POEMS syndrome with lympho-proliferative disorder is very commun. The pathogenesis remains poorly understood but implication of cytokines (interleukins 1 and 6) is suspected. We report a case of a classic POEMS syndrome (with polyneuropathy, hepatomegaly, diabetes melitus, hyperpigmentation, monoclonal IgG lambda, anasarca and solitary plasmocytoma), associated with high serum levels of interleukin 6.