Clinical management of gastrointestinal amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is characterized by extracellular deposition of abnormal protein, consisting of primary, secondary, hemodialysis-related, hereditary, senile and localized type. Primary amyloidosis is associated with monoclonal light chains. Secondary amyloidosis is associated with inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic diseases. Amyloid deposition in the gastrointestinal tract can manifest the symptoms including diarrhea, steatorrhea, or constipation. For diagnosis, one should obtain an immunofixation of serum or urine as well as biopsy sampling of gastrointestinal mucosa stained specifically. While most gastrointestinal complications are managed symptomatically, treatment depends upon the type of amyloidosis. Causal therapy is reserved for a select few from various subtypes of this disorder.