monoclonal gammopathy
Last reviewed 09/2022
Paraproteins are immunoglobulins of a single, unique structure i.e. produced by a single clone, which are present in sufficient amounts to be seen on serum electrophoresis. A sharp band is seen because all of the molecules have an identical structure. Examples include:
Benign:
- monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
Malignant:
- Myeloma
- Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia
- Heavy chain disease
Other causes of paraproteinaemias include:
- paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria - Donath-Landsteiner antibody
- cold haemagluttin disease - IgM paraprotein
- warm antibody haemolytic anaemia
- chronic lymphatic leukaemia - IgG or IgM paraprotein
monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia
paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria
warm antibody haemolytic anaemia
cold antibody haemolytic anaemia
serum electrophoresis ( separation of protein components, immunodiffusion )