Occurrence and type of chromosomal abnormalities in consecutive malignant monoclonal gammopathies: correlation with...

Chromosome studies were done on 73 patients with multiple myeloma and three patients with plasma cell leukemia. Eighteen of 76 patients (24%) had chromosomally abnormal clones, including all three patients with PCL. The most common anomalous chromosomes were #1, #14, and #12. In addition, i(17q) was found in two patients with plasma cell leukemia. Among newly diagnosed patients there was no difference in survival for those with abnormal karyotypes and those with normal karyotypes. Among previously diagnosed patients receiving treatment, however, individuals with an abnormal clone had a significantly higher mortality during the first 2 years compared to those with a normal clone. Patients with no growth of metaphases in their bone marrow aspirate had a significantly lower mortality than other patients (p less than 0.05).