Search for familial clustering of cancer in monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance

Search for familial clustering of cancer in monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is an asymptomatic pre-malignant clonal condition which is diagnosed, often coincidentally, through high levels of immunoglobulin derived serum M-protein produced by a plasma cell clone. The prevalence of MGUS increases with age and it is some 3% at age 60 years and reaching close to 10% at age over 80 years. MGUS is a precursor conditio...

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance is not a benign condition. There is a significant increase in mortality associated with the risk of development of multiple myeloma and related disorders.

Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance

Monoclonal gammopathies are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the stable or progressive proliferation of an abnormal clone of plasma cells that continue pro‐ ducing antibodies [4]. But because these immunoglobulin proteins are abnormal and mon‐ oclonal (identical copies of each other), these offer no protection against infections and can damage the kidney. This monoclonal immu...

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.

The condition, also known as benign monoclonal gammopathy, is characterized by the presence of a monoclonal immunoglobulin or light chain on im munofixation of the patient’s serum or urine. Such a diagnosis can only be considered if underlying causes, most notably multiple myeloma, are excluded (Appendix 1, available at www .cmaj .ca /lookup /suppl /doi:10.1503 /cmaj .122090 //DC1). Because mon...