X-Ray in Multiple Myeloma – Not a ?Golden Standard?
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy characterized by the proliferation of neoplastically transformed plasmocytes (terminally differentiated B-cells) which produce monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-protein) detectable in serum and/ or urine of the patients. Multiple myeloma differs from its “precursor” condition monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) by arbitrarily defined bone marrow involvement (≥ 10% of clonal plasmocytes and/or solid tissue plasmocytoma) or higher level of serum M-protein (≥ 30 g/l), and by the presence of organ involvement CRAB (C = hypercalcemia, R = renal failure, A = anemia, B = bone lesions).
Patients with >10% of clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow or serum M-protein ≥ 30 g/l without the presence of associated organ involvement are now being described as having asymptomatic multiple myeloma (AMM). Similarly as MGUS individuals, AMM patients do usually not undergo treatment until the evolvement into the symptomatic form, i.e. symptomatic multiple myeloma. Read more………………
OMICS Journals 