A case report: Primary amiloidosis associated with immunoglobulin A type multiple myeloma

Abstract

Primary (AL type) amyloidosis is the most common form of systemic amyloidosis. The morbidity arises from extracellular deposition of immunoglobulin light chain (LC) fibrils in some organs such as the kidneys, heart and bowel. Primary amyloidosis and multiple myeloma both involve clonal plasma cell proliferation. Distinctive haematological and biochemical laboratory findings may help in early diagnosis. Here we present a 60-year-old man with an exceptional clinical course of an Ig A type multiple myeloma with generalized amyloidosis, causing nephrotic syndrome, complete intestinal colitis and malabsorbtion. Our comprehensive overview of this rare and often fatal disease aims to increase the awareness of AL type amyloidosis. This may facilitate earlier diagnosis and thus allow initiation of prompt and specific therapies, which are indispensable in order to improve disease prognosis.