Pathologic studies useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of plasma cell dyscrasias

The pathologic diagnosis of multiple myeloma and other plasma cell dyscrasias includes histopathologic examination of a bone marrow aspirate and biopsy and clinical laboratory tests to assess end organ damage and other prognostic information. Plasma cell dyscrasias are characteristically classified and staged based on the results of these pathologic studies in conjunction with other clinical and radiologic parameters. New staging systems such as the International Staging System (ISS) use readily available laboratory tests to stratify prognostic subgroups. The continued introduction of new laboratory assays will help improve our understanding of plasma cell dyscrasias and the therapeutic management of these patients.