ABSTRACT
Introduction 608 Normal plasma cell development 608 Immunoglobulin heavy chain rearrangement occurs in 608
the bone marrow Somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination 609
occur in the lymph node Normal plasma cell development and the relationship 610
with multiple myeloma Pathogenesis and pathology of plasma cell neoplasms 610
Multiple myeloma 610 Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance 621 Solitary plasmacytomas and extramedullary 621
myeloma Plasma cell leukemia 622 Monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition diseases 622 Key points 624 References 624
This chapter will cover the pathologic features and pathogenesis of plasma cell neoplasms, including the premalignant condition monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS), multiple myeloma, plasma cell leukemia and monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition diseases.
