LIGHT-HEAVY CHAIN DEPOSITION DISEASE PROGRESSING TO MULTIPLE-MYELOMA

Light chain deposition disease (LCDD) and light and heavy chain deposi tion disease (LHCDD) are rare clinical entities that have been associa ted with multiple myeloma, with monoclonal gammopathy of unknown signi ficance (MGUS), or without any detectable protein abnormality, Renal f ailure is common, the diagnosis is difficult and prolonged survival is rare. The first patient with LHCDD and MGUS who progressed to multipl e myeloma after 11 years is presented, A rising level of monoclonal Ig A immunoglobulin, bone marrow plasmacytosis, and the presence of multi ple bone marrow lesions on magnetic resonance imaging provided the fir st evidence of disease evolution, When management of serious complicat ions permits a long survival, some patients with LCDD or LHCDD will de velop multiple myeloma. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.