Myeloma Flashcards
What percentage of the bone marrow is plasma cells in multiple myeloma?
> 10%
What type of cell proliferates in myeloma?
plasma cell
What is the most common type of immunoglobulin to be overproduced in multiple myeloma?
igG
What proteins might you find in the urine of someone with multiple myeloma?
bence jones proteins (light chains)
What does CRAB stand for?
C- hyperCalcaemia
R- renal disease
A- anaemia
B- bone pain
Why do patients with myeloma get hypercalcaemia?
Increased osteoclast activity
Why do patients with myeloma get renal disease?
light chains deposit and obstruct renal tubules
What type of lesion can people with myeloma get?
lytic lesions
Which blood test tests for anaemia?
FBC
Which test measures the levels of antibodies in the blood?
serum protein electrophoresis
What would immunofixation tell us in a patient with myeloma?
which type of antibody is being overproduced
What test would you do to detect free light chains in the blood?
serum free light chain assay
What type of biopsy would you perform in a case of suspected myeloma?
bone marrow biopsy
What could you do to check for lytic lesions?
an x ray
Why wouldn’t you do a bone scan in a myeloma patient?
bone scans only show osteoblastic lesions, not lytic lesions
