Disease Biology
This type of immune cell becomes malignant in multiple myeloma.
What is a plasma cell?
This type of pain is one of the most common symptoms of multiple myeloma, often affecting the spine or ribs.
What is bone pain?
This basic blood test may show anemia in myeloma patients.
What is a complete blood count (CBC)?
This technique is commonly used to detect chromosomal abnormalities in multiple myeloma cells.
What is FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization)?
According to the IMWG, this level of clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow is required for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
What is ≥10% clonal plasma cells?
These abnormal plasma cells produce excessive amounts of this immunoglobulin or its fragments.
What is monoclonal (M) protein or light chains?
This condition, caused by decreased red blood cell production, results in fatigue, pallor, and shortness of breath.
What is anemia?
This test detects M-protein in blood or urine.
What is electrophoresis (SPEP/UPEP)?
This chromosome is often involved in translocations affecting the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (IgH) in multiple myeloma.
What is chromosome 14?
The IMWG includes this set of features—C.R.A.B.—to indicate end-organ damage.
What are hyperCalcemia, Renal failure, Anemia, and Bone lesions?
The proliferation of myeloma cells in the bone marrow suppresses this essential hematologic process.
What is normal blood cell production (hematopoiesis)?
This laboratory abnormality, caused by excessive bone breakdown, can lead to confusion, nausea, and constipation.
What is hypercalcemia?
This type of imaging is often used to detect bone lesions.
What is an X-ray, CT scan, or PET scan?
This specific cytogenetic abnormality, t(4;14), is associated with this risk category in multiple myeloma.
What is high risk?
This is the minimum M-protein level (in serum or urine) that supports a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, according to IMWG.
What is ≥3 g/dL in serum or ≥500 mg/24 hr in urine?
Myeloma cells often induce this process, leading to bone breakdown and lytic lesions.
What is osteoclast activation or bone resorption?
This symptom occurs when excess abnormal proteins damage kidney function.
What is renal (kidney) failure or proteinuria?
This invasive procedure is used to confirm diagnosis by examining marrow.
What is a bone marrow biopsy?
Deletion of this part of chromosome 17 is linked to a poor prognosis in multiple myeloma.
What is 17p (deletion of the p53 gene)?
In 2014, the IMWG added these three “SLiM” biomarkers to help diagnose multiple myeloma before organ damage occurs.
What are: ≥60% clonal plasma cells in marrow, Light chain ratio ≥100, >1 focal lesion on MRI?
This group of genetic abnormalities—such as translocations involving chromosome 14—can drive the development of multiple myeloma.
What are chromosomal translocations or cytogenetic abnormalities?
These four major symptoms—summarized by the acronym C.R.A.B.—are key diagnostic clues in multiple myeloma.
What are hyperCalcemia, Renal failure, Anemia, and Bone lesions?
This ratio is often abnormal in multiple myeloma and reflects monoclonal gammopathy.
What is the kappa/lambda free light chain ratio?
This type of genetic abnormality involves having more than the normal number of chromosomes and is generally associated with better prognosis.
What is hyperdiploidy?
According to the IMWG, this precursor condition involves <10% plasma cells in bone marrow and absence of CRAB or SLiM features.
What is monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)?