What causes Paraprotein?
Paraproteins are monoclonal immune globulin fragments or intact immune globulins produced by usually a malignant cone of plasma cells or B cells. These proteins are associated with a spectrum of kidney disorders caused by either direct effects on the kidney cells or deposition in various kidney cells.
What are the symptoms of Paraproteinemia?
The condition appears clinically as muscle weakness and atrophy, pain, and numbness [1]. Several monoclonal antibody-producing conditions are associated with peripheral neuropathy, and in these circumstances, the constellation of neurological symptoms are often referred to as paraproteinemic neuropathy (PPN) [2, 3].
Does Paraprotein mean cancer?
What is MGUS? MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance) is a non-cancerous condition where the body makes an abnormal protein, called a paraprotein. MGUS is not a cancer, but people with it have a slightly higher risk of developing: myeloma (a cancer of blood cells called plasma cells)
What are Paraproteinemias?
What is Paraproteinemia? Paraproteinemia, also known as monoclonal gammopathy, is characterized by the presence of excessive amounts of paraproteins in the blood. Paraproteins are immunoglobulin proteins that are produced by a clone of plasma cells in the bone marrow. These proteins often cause damage to the kidneys.
What foods should be avoided with MGUS?
Hence, MGUS patients should avoid taking a diet including obesity causing foods such as red meat and processed meat, fried foods, processed foods, sugar-sweetened beverages and fast foods to reduce the risk of progression to Multiple Myeloma and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
What investigations would be performed if a paraprotein was identified?
Serum and/or urine immunofixation is conducted to confirm the presence of the paraprotein as well as to determine the isotype of the paraprotein. A serum light chain assay is conducted or recommended to the ordering clinician.
What is the treatment for monoclonal gammopathy?
There’s no way to treat MGUS. It doesn’t go away on its own, but it doesn’t usually cause symptoms or develop into a serious condition. A doctor will recommend regular checkups and blood tests to keep an eye on your health. Usually, these checkups start six months after first diagnosing MGUS.
What does a positive Paraprotein mean?
Plasma cells are specialised blood cells that usually produce a range of different proteins called immunoglobulins as part of the body’s immune system. If a group of plasma cells start to produce just one type of abnormal protein this is called a paraprotein and can be an indicator of an abnormality.
What causes high paraprotein in blood?
There are different conditions that can cause a paraprotein, with the most common being monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS). In most cases, this is a non-cancerous condition but another, more serious, blood abnormality linked to a paraprotein is myeloma.
What is MGUS?
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a condition in which a person has moderately elevated levels of an abnormal immunoglobulin protein called M protein in the blood. As in multiple myeloma, MGUS begins in a type of white blood cells called plasma cells, which produce M protein.
Is MGUS serious?
MGUS usually causes no problems. But sometimes it can progress to more-serious diseases, including some forms of blood cancer. If you have high amounts of this protein in your blood, it’s important to have regular checkups so that you can get earlier treatment if it does progress.
What are the early symptoms of MGUS?
Some people may have symptoms such as a rash, numbness, or tingling in the body. The presence of M proteins in the urine or blood is one sign of MGUS. Other proteins are also elevated in the blood when a person has MGUS. These could be signs of other health conditions, such as dehydration and hepatitis.
What are the three diseases associated with paraproteinemia?
Disorders associated with paraproteinemia 1 Pyoderma gangrenosum 2 Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) 3 Infectious disease (mycobacterium, bacterial endocarditis)
What is the medical term for excessive paraprotein in the blood?
Paraproteinemia Definition. Paraproteinemia can be defined as a medical condition, in which excessive quantities of paraprotein are present in the blood. This condition is also known as monoclonal gammopathy (excessive amounts of monoclonal gammaglobulin in the blood). It is usually due to an underlying immunoproliferative disorder…
Is there a cure or treatment for paraproteinemia?
Paraproteinemia Treatment. Paraproteinemia treatment first aims for paraprotein quantity reduction and the diminishing of cells producing the paraproteins, which may lead to improvement of neurological symptoms. IgM Paraproteinemia sometimes responds to immunotherapies, but the potential benefits should be balanced against possible side effects,…
What are the symptoms of IgM paraproteinemia?
Paraproteinemia Symptoms. Paraproteinemia symptoms include the followings; Cold agglutinin disease: IgM paraprotein. Paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria: Donath-Landsteiner antibody. Warm antibody haemolytic anaemia. Autoimmune disease: rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, cryoglobulinaemia.