Updated Review on Multiple Myeloma

Abstract

Multiple myeloma is a clonal B-ee!! neoplasm that affects terminally differentiated B-cells (plasma cells) and may proceed through different phases, an inactive phase in which tumor cells are non proliferating mature plasma cells, an active phase in which a small percentage of proliferating plasmablastic cells, and a fulminant phase with the frequent occurrence of extramedullary proliferation and increase in the plasmablastic cells. Environmental exposure to radiation and chemicals has been associated with an increased incidence of myeloma. Epidimilogical . studies attempting to establish association between myeloma and certain infections or autoimmune diseases have remained inconclusive. A recently identified virus human herpes virus (HHV) known as Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpes virus (KSHV) has been identified in the bone marrow dendritic cells of patients with multiple myeloma.