[Amyloidosis. A review].

Amyloidosis is a heterogenous group of diseases, all characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid either systemically or localized. Of wellknown diseases are Alzheimer's dementia, AL-amyloidosis (e.g. in multiple myeloma) and AA-amyloidosis (e.g. in rheumatoid arthritis). Amyloid is composed of three components of which the fibrillary component is the basis of amyloid classification. Many types of amyloid have a systemic distribution and give rise to varying symptoms. The diagnosis is based on biopsy, preferably of abdominal subcutis. The prognosis is poor, however, recent investigations on the three-dimensional structure of the P-component provide hope for future therapy.