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Published on: April 15, 2022

Plasma cell myeloma diagnosed in pregnancy

Fredric Willmott1, Nilesh Agarwal, Maureen Heath

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen's Hospital, Romford, UK. willmottfj@hotmail.co.uk

BMJ Case Reports
|July 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Plasma cell myeloma (PCM) is an incurable cancer of B cells. This condition causes bone marrow failure, kidney damage, and bone pain, with a poor prognosis and short survival.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Oncology
  • Neoplastic Disorders

Background:

  • Plasma cell myeloma (PCM) is a neoplastic disorder of terminally differentiated B cells.
  • It is characterized by the secretion of a monoclonal protein (M band) by the neoplastic clone.
  • Approximately 20% of PCM cases involve the secretion of light chains only, detected as Bence Jones protein in urine.

Observation:

  • PCM leads to bone marrow failure due to malignant plasma cell infiltration.
  • Renal failure occurs secondary to damage to renal tubules from excess light chains.
  • Patients experience pain resulting from lytic bone lesions.

Findings:

  • The clinical presentation of PCM includes bone marrow failure, renal impairment, and bone pain.
  • The disease infiltrates the bone marrow, leading to its failure.
  • Excessive light chains cause renal tubule damage, resulting in kidney failure.

Implications:

  • Plasma cell myeloma remains a significant challenge in hematologic oncology.
  • The current understanding highlights the multi-organ impact of PCM.
  • The poor median survival of 5 years underscores the need for improved therapeutic strategies.

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