MGUS

Question 1

Is Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) a benign or malignant condition?

Answer 1

Benign paraproteinaemia

Precursor to myeloma

Question 2

What percentage of patients with MGUS go on to develop myeloma?

Answer 2

10% at 10 years
50% at 15 years

Question 3

Clinical features of MGUS

Answer 3

usually asymptomatic
no bone pain or increased risk of infections
10-30% of patients have a demyelinating neuropathy

Question 4

Features which differentiate MGUS from Myeloma

Answer 4

normal immune function

normal beta-2 microglobulin levels

lower level of paraproteinaemia than myeloma (e.g. < 30g/l IgG, or < 20g/l IgA)

no renal disease

No lytic bony lesions