Interní Med. 2008; 10(9): 407-409

Laboratory diagnosis of multiple myeloma

MUDr. Tomáš Šálek

Biochemické oddělení nemocnice Uherské Hradiště

Multiple myeloma accounts for 10–15 % hematologic neoplasms. The most common clinical presentatin of multiple myeloma is back pain, anemia, leukopenia, trombocytopenia, proteinuria and neurologic involvement. In the past few years, there have been made some important breakthrough in understanding the biology of multiple myeloma. These findings are now opening the way to new horizons for diagnosing and monitoring of this disease. The first choise test for patients with symptoms of monoclonal gamapaties is serum protein electrophoresis alongside free light chain determination. Free light chain analysis is best for patienst who sufer from free light chain myeloma and AL amyloidosis, because these patients are not detected by serum protein electrophoresis. It accounts for 20 % patients. Serum free light chain analysis is more sensitive then testing for Bence Jones proteinuria. This new approach brings benefits for many patients with plasma cell disorders.

Keywords: Key words: multiple myeloma, serum protein electrophoresis, imunofixation electrophoresis, free light chains.

Published: November 1, 2008  Show citation