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Nucleolar size in benign and malignant plasma cell proliferation;.
Acta Medica Scandinavica
|January 1, 1975
Summary
Myeloma plasma cells exhibit larger nucleoli and nuclei compared to benign conditions. This finding aids in diagnosing myeloma, especially in uncertain cases, by observing enlarged nucleoli.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Distinguishing multiple myeloma from benign monoclonal gammopathies is clinically significant.
- Plasma cell morphology, specifically nuclear and nucleolar size, can offer diagnostic clues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in bone marrow plasma cell nucleolar and nuclear size between myeloma, benign essential monoclonal gammopathy (BEMG), and M-component-negative cases.
- To evaluate the utility of nucleolar size as a diagnostic marker for multiple myeloma.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of bone marrow smears from 26 myeloma patients, 19 BEMG patients, and 9 controls.
- Feulgen staining to visualize nucleoli and nuclei.
- Quantitative assessment of nucleolar area, nuclear area, and their ratio.
Main Results:
- Plasma cells in myeloma cases showed significantly larger nucleoli, larger nuclei, and an increased nucleolar-to-nuclear area ratio compared to BEMG and control groups.
- No significant differences in these parameters were observed between BEMG and control groups.
- Enlarged nucleoli were observed in myeloma cases, aiding diagnosis when other indicators were ambiguous.
Conclusions:
- Increased nucleolar and nuclear size in bone marrow plasma cells is a characteristic feature of multiple myeloma.
- Nucleolar size serves as a valuable diagnostic aid for multiple myeloma, particularly in early or uncertain presentations.
- Changes in M-component concentration correlate with alterations in plasma cell nucleolar size, indicating dynamic cellular changes during myeloma progression.