Bence-Jones proteinuria is the presence of Bence-Jones proteins in urine, which can indicate kidney dysfunction or cancer. Additional testing is needed to identify the cause, and treatment depends on the underlying condition.
Bence-Jones proteinuria is the secretion of certain blood products, called Bence-Jones proteins, into the urine. A special test is needed to identify them because the basic dipstick analysis used to quickly test urine in the laboratory is not enough. Healthcare professionals may consider testing for Bence-Jones proteinuria if they believe a patient’s symptoms may be indicative of a condition associated with kidney dysfunction. In most cases, a large number of Bence-Jones proteins in the urine is indicative of a malignant tumor.
Healthy patients have functional kidneys that filter a wide variety of blood products along with beneficial substances that the body needs. Waste products are carried into the bladder to be disposed of in the urine. When kidney function begins to deteriorate in people with poor health, the ability to filter is impaired and the kidneys begin to excrete more protein. Urine testing can reveal decline in function and may include a visual inspection of the urine for cloudiness and discoloration, along with a dipstick check and more advanced testing.
Changes in urine chemistry such as Bence-Jones proteinuria can be caused by problems with the kidneys or bladder, as well as other regions of the body. The kidneys act as one of the body’s waste processing systems and can be an important indicator of overall health. If a problem develops in one or both kidneys, it can be a sign of a deeper medical issue.
Patients commonly develop Bence-Jones proteinuria when they have a cancer such as multiple myeloma or Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. In a thorough examination for a patient with suspected cancer, the doctor may order some kidney function tests to determine whether the cancer is putting stress on the kidneys or other organ systems. Treating the underlying cancer is the only way to address proteinuria, and the strain on the kidneys can become a complicating factor when developing a treatment plan because some chemotherapy regimens are very hard on the kidneys.
In some cases, Bence-Jones proteinuria has a different cause or is benign in nature. When it’s identified in lab tests of a patient’s urine, the next step is usually an additional test to find out more about what’s causing it. This may include blood tests, medical imaging studies of the kidneys, or biopsy samples. A complete patient history may also be helpful, as it can provide useful information as to why the patient has developed proteinuria. Medical service providers can review the data to determine the diagnosis and make treatment recommendations.
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