Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer involving the plasma cells. Some symptoms of the multiple myeloma are bone pain, renal failure, recurring infections and anemia. It is treated with chemotherapy. A commonly used chemotherapy regimen is the Vincristine, Adriamycin, and Dexamethasone. Thalidomides, velcades, melphalans, prednisones and interferons have also been used.
Multiple Myeloma Media
Illustration showing the most common site of bone lesions in vertebrae
Plasmablast, Wright stain, in a case of multiple myeloma of plasmablastic type.
Serum protein electropherogram showing a paraprotein (peak in the gamma zone) in a person with multiple myeloma
Deaths from lymphomas and multiple myeloma per million persons in 2012 *0–13 14–18 19–22 23–28 29–34 35–42 43–57 58–88 89–121 122–184
Age-standardized death from lymphomas and multiple myeloma per 100,000 inhabitants in 2004.* no data* less than 1.8* 1.8–3.6* 3.6–5.4* 5.4–7.2* 7.2–9* 9–10.8* 10.8–12.6* 12.6–14.4* 14.4–16.2* 16.2–18* 18–19.8* more than 19.8*
Bone marrow aspirate showing the histologic correlate of multiple myeloma under the microscope, H&E stain
Micrograph of a plasmacytoma. H&E stain.*The micrograph shows abundant (malignant) plasma cells with the occasional Mott cell, a plasma cell with an intracytoplasmic Russell bodies (an eosinophilic uniformly staining membrane bound body which contains immunoglobulin).*Other features of plasmacytomas (not apparent on the image) are: * a prominent perinuclear hof (large Golgi bodies), and * Dutcher bodies (intranuclear inclusions).The plasma cells have the characteristic "clockface nuclei".*Multiple myeloma (which is diagnosed using several clinical criteria) is, histologically, a plasmacytoma. Related images * *Uncropped. * * * * *Cropped. * *
Micrograph showing myeloma cast nephropathy in a kidney biopsy: Hyaline casts are PAS positive (dark pink/red – right of image). Myelomatous casts are PAS negative (pale pink – left of image), PAS stain.
Atypical plasma cell infiltrate with both Russell (cytoplasmic) and Dutcher (nuclear) bodies (H&E, 50x)
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