Myeloma eMedicine Orthopedics

Description: Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells involving more than 10% of the bone marrow. The disease results in the production of monoclonal immunoglobulins, which may be identified with serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) or urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP). Plasma-cell proliferation causes extensive skeletal destruction with osteolytic lesions, anemia, and hypercalcemia. Excessive production of M proteins can lead to renal failure, hyperviscosity, and recurrent infections. MM accounts for 10% of all hematologic cancers.
Synonyms and related keywords: multiple myeloma, MM, plasma cell dyscrasia, plasma cell proliferation, hematologic cancer, plasmacytoid lymphocytes, M proteins, plasmacytoma
Seema S Rizvi, MD & Howard A Chansky, MD 2005