Download MULTIPLE MYeLOMA

DEFINITION
MULTIPLE MYELOMA
MULTIPLE MYELOMA
• It is a debilitating malignancy that is part of a spectrum of
diseases ranging from monoclonal gammopathy of unknown
significance (MGUS) to plasma cell leukemia.
• It is characterized by a proliferation of malignant plasma cells
and a subsequent overabundance of monoclonal paraprotein.
• The antibody-forming cells (i.e., plasma cells) are malignant
and, therefore, may cause unusual manifestations.
Retrieved from: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/204369-overview
Bone marrow aspirate demonstrating
plasma cells of multiple myeloma. Note
the blue cytoplasm, eccentric nucleus,
and perinuclear pale zone (or halo). All
images and text are (c) 2002 by the
American Society of Hematology. All
rights reserved.
Bone marrow biopsy demonstrating
sheets of malignant plasma cells in
multiple myeloma. All images and text
are (c) 2002 by the American Society
of Hematology. All rights reserved.
MULTIPLE MYELOMA
• represents a malignant proliferation of plasma cells derived
from a single clone
• The tumor, its products, and the host response to it result in:
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multiple organ dysfunctions,
symptoms of bone pain or fracture,
renal failure,
susceptibility to infection,
anemia,
neurologic symptoms,
hypercalcemia,
occasionally clotting abnormalities, and
vascular manifestations of hyperviscosity
Braunwald et al, Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, p 701