Plasma cell diseases include amyloidosis, where abnormal proteins build up in organs, solitary plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma, where excess cells form tumors in the bone marrow, MGUS, where abnormal protein levels are stable, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, a rare cancer causing blood thickening.
There are a variety of diseases that can affect plasma cells, the white blood cells that produce antibodies as part of the body’s immune response. Amyloidosis is a disease in which the body produces abnormal antibody proteins, which then build up in one or more organs. Two other diseases, solitary plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma, occur when the production of plasma cells is excessive and the excess cells form tumors in the bone marrow. A condition known as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, or MGUS, causes an increase in proteins made by the body’s plasma cells. Some people can develop a rare cancer called Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, which is characterized by an overproduction of IgM antibodies.
Patients with amyloidosis have plasma cells that produce abnormal proteins. These proteins then build up in organs such as the liver, heart or kidneys. As they build up, they begin to inhibit the organs ability to function properly. There are three main types of amyloidosis: primary amyloidosis in which plasma cells start malfunctioning for no known reason, secondary amyloidosis which is triggered by another disease, and hereditary amyloidosis which occurs in patients with certain genetic abnormalities.
Some diseases cause tumors to form in the bone marrow, where the plasma cells reside. Tumors are the result of myeloma cells, unnecessary plasma cells that form when the body’s production of plasma gets out of control. In some cases, only one tumor will form in a single bone; this is known as a solitary plasmacytoma. Other patients will develop multiple myeloma, a type of cancer that occurs when myeloma cells are present and form tumors in multiple bones. In many cases where a patient begins with a solitary plasmacytoma, the disease will later progress to multiple myeloma.
Another disease that can affect plasma cells is monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Patients with MGUS produce abnormal amounts of a certain type of protein, leading to increased levels of protein in the blood. However, these levels often remain stable and cause no problems for patients with the disorder. Treatment is often unnecessary and only monitoring of the condition with blood tests is required.
Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is a rare cancer that results from increased production of IgM antibodies by plasma cells. These antibodies are relatively large, so large numbers of them can cause the blood to thicken, a condition known as hyperviscosity. This can lead to circulation problems and nervous system problems.
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