Presentation Description / Summary: Case material will be used to outline current best practices for the use of serum and urine protein electrophoresis and immunofixation when diagnosing and monitoring immunoglobulin paraproteins (M-proteins) produced by plasma cell B-cell tumors and other secretory B cell lymphoid neoplasms. This includes diagnosing and characterizing monoclonal gammopathy and Bence-Jones proteinuria produced by multiple myeloma. The strengths and limitations of the techniques will be discussed. Several non-neoplastic immunoglobulin producing conditions will also be discussed and contrasted.
Learner Outcomes: 1) Select an appropriate testing strategy to diagnose monoclonal immunoglobulins and their fragments using protein electrophoresis and immunofixation. 2) Describe electrophoresis-based monitoring protocols and response criteria for monitoring response to therapy in patients with multiple myeloma.
Learning Objectives:
LIst indications for serum and urine protein electrophoresis, including diagnosing and monitoring immunoglobulin secreting neoplasms.
List indications for routine and free light chain immunofixation to identify and characterize monoclonal immunoglobulins and their fragments.
