Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

HAEMATOLOGY > MULTIPLE MYELOMA > Flashcards

MULTIPLE MYELOMA Flashcards

1
Q

What is multiple myeloma?

A

A heterogenous group of conditions characterised by disordered proliferation of plasma cells and hence associated with the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulins in the serum or urine.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What age group are most often affected by multiple myeloma?

A

Elderly. Very rare before 40, but 3 in 10,000 in over 80s.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma?

A

Arises in a post-germinal centre B lymphocyte in a lymph node or the spleen. The neoplastic cells then move to the bone marrow where the environment facilitates plasma cell proliferation. This causes bone marrow failure.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How are bones affected in multiple myeloma?

A

Osteoblasts are inhibited as in the secretion of osteoprotogerin (OPG). As a result, osteoclasts are no longer inhibited and there is lytic destruction of the bone.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the most common type of monoclonal paraprotein found in multiple myeloma patients?

A

IgG - 60% of patients

IgA - 20-25%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the renal complications of multiple myeloma?

A

Renal failure as a result of hyperviscosity of the blood, protein deposition in renal tubules, hypercalcaemia and amyloid.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Which ethnic group are most at risk of developing multiple myeloma?

A

Afro-Caribbean

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the complications of multiple myeloma?

A 
Bone pain
Osteolytic lesions leading to fracture
Anaemia
Bleeding
Hypercalcemia
Acute kidney injury
Infection
Spinal cord compression
Neuropathy
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What percentage of all cancers does multiple myeloma make up?

A

1%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Is there a familial link to multiple myeloma?

A

Cases of familial multiple myeloma are extremely rare.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the classic symptoms of multiple myeloma?

A 
Weight loss
Fatigue
Bone pain
Bleeding
Back ache
Swollen ankles
Infection
Impaired vision
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the most common presenting complaint which eventually leads to a diagnosis of multiple myeloma?

A

Bone pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What investigations would you order for someone with suspected multiple myeloma?

A 
FBC
ESR
U&Es
GFR
Plasma viscosity
Blood film
Serum electrophoresis - Look for M protein and immunoglobulins
Urine electropheresis
Bone marrow aspirate
X-ray/CT/MRI - skeletal survey
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What might the blood tests of someone with multiple myeloma show?

A 
Normochromic normocytic anaemia
Neutropenia
Thrombocytopenia
Raised ESR
High calcium
Normal alkaline phosphotase (suppressed osteoblast activity)
High viscosity
Renal dysfunction
Presence of paraprotein
Low albumin (advanced disease)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What might the blood film of someone with multiple myeloma show?

A

Rouleaux formation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the most sensitive imaging technique for myeloma?

A

MRI

17
Q

What percentage of multiple myeloma patients develop amyloid? What are the complications?

A

10%
Renal failure
Cardiac failure
Neuropathy

18
Q

How do assess for amyloid deposition?

A

Serum amyloid P scanning

19
Q

What are the important differential diagnoses in someone with suspected multiple myeloma?

A

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)

Smouldering multiple myeloma

20
Q

How might you differentiate between multiple myeloma or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance?

A

No single differentiating test although serum IgG concentration over 30g/L is more suggestive of multiple myeloma.

21
Q

What is the immunoglobulin light chain protein found in the urine of multiple myeloma patients?

A

Bence Jones protein

22
Q

How does kidney injury lead to anaemia in multiple myeloma patients?

A

Renal failure leads to reduced production of EPO which in turn leads to anaemia.

23
Q

Why is it not enough to test the urine just by doing a simple dipstick for someone with suspected multiple myeloma?

A

Urine dipstick tests for the presence of albumin. The large amount of protein being deposited in the urine in a MM patient is immunoglobulins. To visualise the protein in the urine you can add sulfosalicylic acid to the sample. Alternatively you can just order a urine electrophoresis.

24
Q

What are the two types of acute kidney injury that may occur as a result of multiple myeloma?

A

Light chain cast nephropathy (myeloma kidney)

Light chain amyloidosis

25
Q

Which type of acute kidney injury associated with multiple myeloma (either light chain cast nephropathy or light chain amyloidosis) will produce a positive result on a urine dipstick?

A

Light chain amyloidosis due to loss of albumin

26
Q

Why do you get Rouleaux formations in a multiple myeloma patient?

A

Hyperviscosity of the blood due to immunoglobulins

27
Q

How are the bone lesions caused by multiple myeloma described on a bone survey?

A

Punched out lytic lesions

28
Q

How is beta-2 microglobulin related to prognosis in multiple myeloma patients?

A

Raised beta-2 microglobulin is a poor prognostic sign

29
Q

What are the three criteria for a diagnosis of multiple myeloma?

A 
M protein in the serum or urine
10% or greater clonal plasma bone marrow cells
Organ impairment: CRAB
  Calcium level
  Renal insufficiency
  Anaemia
  Bone lytic lesions
30
Q

What criteria differentiate multiple myeloma from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)?

A

In MGUS:

Serum monoclonal IgG, IgA or IgM is less than 3 g/dL
Clonal bone marrow plasma cells are less than 10%
No organ impairment damage (CRAB)

31
Q

What criteria differentiate multiple myeloma from smouldering multiple myeloma?

A

No organ impairment (CRAB)

32
Q

What are the initial chemotherapy options for multiple myeloma?

A

Lenilidamide
Valcade

Melphalan and prednisolone
Dexamethasone

Infusion chemo: Vincristine, adriamycin plus methylprednisolone or dexamethasone

Investigational therapy: bortezomib, adriamycin and dexamethasone

33
Q

What reduction in paraprotein do most multiple myeloma patients achieve with melphalan?

A

More than 50%

34
Q

What drugs may be used to prolong the plateau phase of multiple myeloma?

A

Interferon-alpha

Thalidomide

35
Q

In addition to the chemotherapy and steroids, what drug might you want to give a multiple myeloma patient experiencing bone lytic lesions?

A

Bisphoshonates

HAEMATOLOGY (17 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions