What are the symptoms of LCDD?
People with LCDD make too many light chains, which get deposited in many body tissues. While LCDD can occur in any organ, the kidneys are always involved. Signs and symptoms of LCDD may include protein in the urine; decreased kidney function; and/or nephrotic syndrome.
Is light chain myeloma worse?
When myeloma progresses, the myeloma cells start to produce more light chains than heavy chains. This can be measured by the Free Light Chain Assay test on a blood specimen. In general, the higher the free light chains, the more aggressive the disease is.
How is light chain deposition disease diagnosed?
The diagnosis of LCDD can be made with a kidney biopsy. The characteristic morphological findings in LCDD are nodular glomerulosclerosis and nonfibrillar electron-dense deposits on the glomerular or tubular basement membrane, as seen with electron microscopy (EM).
Is light chain deposition disease cancer?
Technically, light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is not considered a cancer . However, it shares some characteristics with cancer, and can be associated with certain types of cancer.
Is light chain disease fatal?
Median survival for patients with light-chain deposition disease (LCDD) is about 4 years. The largest series published so far has reported after a median follow-up of 27 months; 57% of patients developed uremia and 59% of patients died.
What does it mean when your light chains are high?
If the amount of free light chains is higher or lower than normal, it can mean you have a disorder of the plasma cells. These include multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells, and amyloidosis, a condition that causes a dangerous buildup of proteins in different organs and tissues.
How common is light chain myeloma?
Light chain multiple myeloma (LCMM) constitutes approximately 15% of patients with multiple myeloma (MM).
Can light-chain disease be cured?
The goal of treating LCDD is to slow the production of light chains and their damage to organs. Treatment may include chemotherapy with a drug called Bortezomib; autologous stem cell transplantation; immunomodulatory drugs; and/or kidney transplant. If untreated, end-stage renal disease occurs in 70% of cases.
Is light-chain disease fatal?
Can light chain disease be cured?
What are the symptoms of light chain deposition disease?
While LCDD can occur in any organ, the kidneys are always involved. Signs and symptoms of LCDD may include protein in the urine; decreased kidney function; and/or nephrotic syndrome. Rarely, a person with LCDD may have symptoms from cardiac (heart) or liver involvement. The underlying cause of LCDD is unknown.
What are the symptoms of light chain multiple myeloma?
Symptoms of Light Chain Multiple Myeloma 1 Bone Damage. Because multiple myeloma affects the bone marrow, about 85 percent of people with multiple myeloma will experience bone damage, often in the spine, pelvis, or ribs. 2 Gastrointestinal and Urinary Problems. 3 Neurological Symptoms. 4 Anemia. 5 Kidney Damage.
What is the treatment for light chain deposition?
The goal of treating LCDD is to slow the production of light chains and their damage to organs. Treatment may include chemotherapy with a drug called Bortezomib; autologous stem cell transplantation; immunomodulatory drugs; and/or kidney transplant. If untreated, end-stage renal disease occurs in 70% of cases.
How does HCO-HD help with light chain multiple myeloma?
During HCO-HD, the blood is purified through a special membrane which is designed to trap excess light chain proteins. Small studies have shown that high-cutoff hemodialysis may help improve kidney function in people with light chain multiple myeloma.