Myeloma and lymphoma Flashcards
Where does B cell maturation take place?
Bone marrow
What does B cell maturation comprise?
Gain surface immunoglobins
What happened during B cell differentiation?
Mature B cells are exposed to antigens and become either…
- apoptose
- differentiate into plasma cell
- enter germinal centre
What produced immunoglobins?
Plasma cells in response to immunogen
Wha t is the structure of an immaunogen? How are they classified?
4 polypeptide chains - 2 light, 2 heavy held together by disulphide bonds
Heavy chain - IgG, IgM, IgE, IgD, IgA
Light chain kappa or lama
What are the techniques by which myeloma is identified?
Protein electrophoresis - serum placed in gel and exposed to electric current
Immunofixation
Bone marrow biopsy
What is the group of interest when investigating myeloma using electrophoreses?
Gamma globulins
What is produced with myeloma? How is this different to normal plasma cells?
Produce just one type of immunoglobin
Usually plasma cells produce a variety
What is myeloma? What is myeloma’s aetiology?
incurable malignant condition of clonal plasma cells
No know aetiology
What condition is myeloma always preceeded by?
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined Significance (MGUS)
No features of myeloma
What is diagnostic of myeloma?
> 10% plasma cells are neoplastic AND any one/more of…
- CRAB features
- Myeloma defining events
What are the CRAB features?
C - hyperCalcaemia - due to promoted osteoclastic activity)
R - Renal insufficiency - free light chains damage kidney (BENCE JONES protein - proteinuria)
A - Anaemia
B - bone lesions
What are the myeloma defining events?
> 60% clonal plasma cells in BM biopsy
- Focal lesions on MRI scan
What other factors, other than myeloma, could box out the kidney?
- Hyperviscocity
- Renal vein thrombosis
- CT contrast
- Dehydration
- NSAIDs/ACEi
- Hypercalcaemia
- Biaphosphonates
What should you treat individuals with suspected myeloma in first instance?
Steroids (delays damage to kidney)