|
What are myeloma related disorders?
Dr. Paul Mellor, DECVIM
Myeloma is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells. Plasma cells are specialized lymphocytes i.e. they are part of the white blood cell group and key components of the immune system. In the healthy individual, plasma cells are responsible for making antibodies, helping to protect against disease. Plasma cells that become cancerous are known as myeloma cells and they reproduce uncontrollably. A broad spectrum of different clinical signs may develop as myeloma cells proliferate, making this a difficult and challenging disease to diagnose and treat.
Currently reported feline myeloma related disorders include:
1) Myeloma
2) Cutaneous extramedullary plasmacytoma (CEMP)
3) Non-cutaneous extramedullary plasmacytoma (NCEMP)
4) Solitary plasmacytoma of bone (SPB)
5) Waldenströms (IgM) macroglobulinaemia (WM)
6) Immunoglobulin-secreting lymphoma
7) Myeloma cell leukaemia |
Date Published: May 21, 2007 Paul Mellor ©
|
Copyright
, Veterinary Information Network, Inc. |