clinical features
Last reviewed 01/2018
The clinical picture varies widely according to the degree of tumour cell infiltration and the effects of IgM.
Commonly encountered features may include:
- peak incidence at age 60 - 70 years; slight preponderance for males
- usually present with fatigue related to anaemia
- serum hyperviscosity - causing mucosal and gastrointestinal bleeding, and retinal haemorrhage; due to engorged vessels and platelet dysfunction
- purpura
- hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy (rare in multiple myeloma)
- bone involvement is rare
- neurologic symptoms - alterations in consciousness, peripheral neuropathy, visual disturbance
- nausea and vertigo