Myeloma Case Study Essay

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Case study – Chemistry 2 Julia Dugger 09/08/2015 A 54 year old female was presented with complaints of lethargy, excessive thirst and diminished appetite. Given the fact that these symptoms are very broad and could be the underlying cause of various diseases, the physician decided to order a urinalysis by cystoscope; a comprehensive diagnostic chemistry panel; and a CBC with differential, to acquire a better understanding on his patient health status. The following abnormal results caught the physician’s attention: a) Urinalysis with significantly increased amounts of blood (via dipstick and sediment), protein, and leukocytes as well as slightly increased bilirubin and slightly decreased pH; b) Comprehensive diagnostic chemistry panel with significantly increased amylase (1626 with normal being 300-1100 U/L), total …show more content…

Since most patients will either have an intact immunoglobulin or a free light chain, quantifying the amount of the M protein will aid in calculating the myeloma tumor burden; staging the myeloma patients; and documenting their response to treatment (Dispenzieri, Lacy, & Greipp, 2004). Moreover, since in 93% of patients a monoclonal protein can be detected in serum and in roughly 70% a monoclonal protein or fragment will be present in urine, according to Nau and Lewis (2008), the diagnosis of an asymptomatic (smoldering) multiple myeloma disease depends on the presence of serum M protein levels of ≥ 3 g/dL; ≥ 10% of bone marrow plasma cells; no related organ or tissue destruction like bone lesions; and no symptoms. On the other hand, the diagnosis of a symptomatic multiple myeloma disease can be accomplished by the presence of M protein in serum and/or urine together with clonal bone marrow plasma cells or plasmacytoma; myeloma-related organ or tissue impairment; and obvious symptoms (Nau, & Lewis,

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