Validation and utility of the free light chains assay in pleural effusions of patients with multiple myeloma

Although multiple myeloma (MM) is a bone marrow disorder, up to twenty percent of patients will ultimately develop extramedullary (EM) disease that can involve virtually any organ.1,2 Pleural effusions are also a relatively uncommon occurrence in MM (incidence of 6%)1, and are most often complications of infection or dysproteinemia such as nephritic syndromes, congestive heart failure secondary to amyloidosis, or mediastinal lymphatic obstruction. Case reports and larger studies suggest myelomatous pleural effusions (MPEs) to be present in only 1-2% of MM patients3,4, and the diagnosis of MPE is ominous, with a median life expectancy of only 4 months3,5.

Source: Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia - May 4, 2016 Category: Hematology Authors: Thomas U. Marron, Matthew G. Hanna, Lakshmi Ramanathan, Ajai Chari Tags: Case Report Source Type: research