Multiple myeloma: current concepts in diagnosis and management.

The basic pathologic process in multiple myeloma is the neoplastic proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells. Although the events which trigger autonomous cell growth are not well understood, the secretion of an M component, a serum or urinary immunoglobulin molecule or a light chain fragment by the vast majority of myeloma cells has provided a biologic marker which has greatly facilitated the study of this disease Some of the more recent clinical concepts which have evolved from studies on the plasma cell and the immunoglobulin molecule are discussed.