What does plasma cell dyscrasia mean?

a. Definition. Plasma cell dyscrasias are a monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells that produce a clonal immunoglobulin protein (i.e., monoclonal gammopathies or paraproteinemias). They are derived from malignant B lymphocytes.

What causes plasma cell dyscrasias?

Plasma cell dyscrasias are a heterogenous group of disorders caused by the monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow.

How is plasma cell dyscrasia diagnosed?

The condition has been diagnosed based on biopsy-proved clonal plasma cell tumors and/or the presence in bone marrow of plasma cells at ≥10% of nucleated cells in individuals who have evidence of end organ damage attributable to an underlying plasma cell disorder.

What does abnormal plasma cells mean?

Multiple myeloma cells are abnormal plasma cells (a type of white blood cell) that build up in the bone marrow and form tumors in many bones of the body. Normal plasma cells make antibodies to help the body fight infection and disease. As the number of multiple myeloma cells increases, more antibodies are made.

Is plasma cell leukemia the same as multiple myeloma?

Plasma cell leukemia is clinically and genetically distinct from multiple myeloma. Plasma cell leukemia is defined by the observation in blood of more than 20% clonal plasma cells by differential count of the leucocytes or by counting more than 2 × 109 per liter circulating clonal plasma cells.

Is plasma cell myeloma the same as multiple myeloma?

A type of cancer that begins in plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies). Also called Kahler disease, multiple myeloma, and myelomatosis.

What are disorders of the plasma cells?

Plasma cell diseases include multiple myeloma, systemic light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, and monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease.

What is the treatment for plasma cell dyscrasia?

Lenalidomide in Waldenströms macroglobulinemia Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) is a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma involving the bone marrow and secreting monoclonal IgM. Treatment options include alkylating agents, nucleoside analogs and monoclonal antibodies, either alone or in combination.

Is plasmacytoma curable?

Solitary plasmacytoma of the bone can sometimes be cured with radiation therapy or surgery to destroy or remove the tumor. However, 70 percent of people with solitary plasmacytoma eventually develop multiple myeloma. They then need additional treatment, such as chemotherapy.

What happens if you have too much plasma in your blood?

Thus, people with plasma cell disorders are often at higher risk of infections. The ever-increasing number of abnormal plasma cells also invades and damages various tissues and organs, and the antibody produced by the clone of plasma cells can sometimes damage vital organs, especially the kidneys and bones.

How rare is plasma cell leukemia?

Key Statistics and Risk Factors. Primary PCL is rare, with an estimated 1 per million of the general population diagnosed each year. Secondary PCL occurs in one to four out of 100 cases of myeloma and is becoming more common as myeloma patients are living longer.

What is the definition of plasma cell dyscrasia?

Plasma cell dyscrasias form a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by the expansion of the number of monoclonal bone marrow plasma cells that produce monoclonal immunoglobulins. Sensitive electrophoretic methods have shown that the incidence of these diseases is as high as 5% in adult individuals.

How to diagnose plasma cell dyscrasia ( SFLC )?

Plasma cell dyscrasia evaluation begins with an investigation of the presence and type of monoclonal proteins (also known as M proteins). Serum free light chain (SFLC) quantification aids in diagnosing multiple myeloma and determining prognosis. 3

Is it safe to withhold treatment for plasma cell dyscrasia?

Therapy could be safely withheld in all the remaining forms, which require only follow-up. Thus, we suggest that plasma cell dyscrasias should be classified simply into two main groups according to the need of immediate chemotherapy.

What causes dyscrasia of the bone marrow?

Plasma cell dyscrasias are a heterogeneous group of disorders caused by the monoclonal proliferation of lymphoplasmacytic cells in the bone marrow.