Does my patient with a serum monoclonal spike have multiple myeloma?

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2012 Apr;26(2):383-93, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2012.02.009.

Abstract

A monoclonal spike on serum protein electrophoresis is a frequent finding in the general population and pathognomonic of a plasma cell dyscrasia. In otherwise healthy individuals, it is diagnostic of two asymptomatic, premalignant conditions called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) which carry a lifelong risk of progression to multiple myeloma (MM) or related malignancy. This article discusses the criteria for diagnosis of MGUS, SMM, and MM; current recommendations for follow-up and risk factors for progression to MM of patients with MGUS and SMM; and diagnostic evaluation of suspected MM transformation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / diagnosis*
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / epidemiology
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis*
  • Multiple Myeloma / epidemiology
  • Paraproteinemias / diagnosis
  • Paraproteinemias / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors