Paraproteinaemia

Frank, L.A.

Paraproteinaemia - 2015

NMUH Staff Publications 76

<span style="font-size: 10pt;">A paraprotein is a monoclonal immunoglobulinor immunoglobulin lightchain which is detected in the blood orurine. It arises from the clonal proliferationof mature B cells, usually plasma cellsor B-lymphocytes. Paraproteins are characterizedby a homogenous electrophoreticmigration and the expression of a singlelight chain type, either kappa or lambda.A raised paraprotein level can occur secondaryto malignant B-cell disorders,most commonly multiple myeloma, ormonoclonal gammopathy of uncertainsignificance, in which the detected paraproteinis at a low level. Paraproteinaemiacan also occur in other malignant conditions.This article helps the general physicianto know when to request serum andurine electrophoresis, which conditionsare associated with a paraprotein, and thedifferences between multiple myelomaand monoclonal gammopathy of uncertainsignificance.</span>
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