Common Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Amyloidosis

Multiple Myeloma

An individual affected by multiple myeloma may develop amyloidosis as a complication of their disease. Multiple myeloma patients develop abnormal cells in their bone marrow that cause the production of too many white blood cells referred to as B lymphocytes. These excess B lymphocytes interfere with the normal function of bone marrow, blood, and other organs due to their accumulation in tissues around the body. The exact mechanism of how multiple myeloma causes amyloidosis is not known, but is thought to be associated with the deposition of amyloidogenic light chains in the bone marrow and other body tissues. These amyloid deposits are commonly found in an affected individual's bone marrow, subcutaneous fat pads, liver, kidneys, and heart. Between ten and fifteen percent of all patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma will develop some degree of amyloidosis during their disease.

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