TRICLONAL GAMMOPATHY IN A WOMAN WITH NONHODGKINS LYMPHOMA

The monoclonal gammopathies are a group of disorders characterised by the presence of an abnormal homogeneous band in the globulin region (m onoclonal protein, M-protein) on serum protein electrophoresis. The M- protein is the product of an abnormally expanded single clone of B-cel ls and plasma cells. Approximately 1% of the population over the age o f 25 have a detectable serum M-protein and this number rises to 10% in subjects over age 75.(1) The biclonal gammopathies are characterised by the production of two distinct serum M-proteins whose clinical feat ures are similar to those of monoclonal gammopathy.(2,3) The reported incidence of biclonal gammopathy is approximately 1% of all gammopathi es in most series. In contrast to biclonal gammopathy, triclonal gammo pathy (production of three distinct M-proteins) is very rare and infor mation on the prevalence and clinical significance of this disorder is lacking. We report the occurrence of triclonal gammopathy in a woman with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.