CH6 - 6) Plasma cell disorders, Histiocytosis Flashcards
What are the plasma cell disorders?
Dyscrasias: 1) multiple myeloma 2) MGUS 3) Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia
What is multiple myeloma?
Malignant proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow
Whis the most common primary malignancy of bone?
metastatic cancer,
What is the most common malignant lesion of bone overall?
Multiple myeloma
In multiple myeloma what is usually present?
High serum IL-6 is sometimes present; stimulates plasma cell growth and immunoglobulin production
What are the clinical features for multiple myeloma?
1) Bone pain with hypercalcemia 2) Elevated serum protein 3) increased risk of infection 4) Rouleaux formation of RBC’s on blood smears 5) Primary AL amyloidosis 6) Proteinuria
Why is there bone pain with hypercalcemia in multiple myeloma?
Neoplastic plasma cells activate the RANK receptor on osteoclasts, leading to bone destruction.
With multiple myeloma what might you see on x-ray?
Lytic, ‘punched-out’ skeletal lesions are seen on x-ray, especially in the vertebrae and skull; increased risk for fracture
Why is there elevated serum protein in multiple myeloma?
Neoplastic plasma cells produce immunoglobulin;
In multiple myeloma, what is seen on electrophoresis?
M spike is present on serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), most commonly due to monoclonal IgG or IgA
In multiple myeloma why is there increased risk of infection?
Monoclonal antibody lacks antigenic diversity
What is the most common cause of death in multiple myeloma?
infection
Why is there rouleaux formation of RBCs on blood smear?
increased serum protein decreases charge between RBCs
Why is there primary AL amyloidosis in multiple myeloma?
Free light chains circulate in serum and deposit in tissues.
Why is there proteinuria in multiple myeloma? What does this increase the risk for?
Free light chain is excreted in the urine as Bence Jones protein; deposition in kidney tubules leads to risk for renal failure (myeloma kidney).