Myeloma Flashcards
Myeloma is a cancer affecting which type of blood cells?
Plasma cells (B lymphocytes)
What is meant by “multiple myeloma”?
Myeloma affecting multiple areas of the body
In a patient with myeloma, what will you see when you measure the immunoglobulins?
One of the types of immunoglobulins will be very high - more than 50% of the time this will be immunoglobulin type G (IgG)
What is the mnemonic to remember the clinical features of myeloma?
CRAB:
- Calcium (elevated)
- Renal failure
- Anaemia
- Bone lesions and bone pain
Patients with myeloma are at risk of forming which type of tumour?
Plasmacytoma
What is the mnemonic to remember the investigations which are carried out in suspected myeloma?
BLIP:
- Bence-Jones protein (urinary)
- (serum) Light-chain assay
- (serum) Immunoglobulins
- (serum) Protein electrophoresis
What is the diagnostic investigation for myeloma?
Bone marrow biopsy
What is the textbook finding on XR of the skull in myeloma?
“Pepper pot skull”
Myeloma bone disease can be managed with which medications?
Bisphosphonates
