title: The evolution of asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathies. A follow-up of 20 cases over periods of 3-14 years.
abstract: Twenty cases of "asymptomatic" monoclonal gammopathies were detected by routine electrophoresis in patient's sera or in blood donors and were followed over 3-14 years. Four cases have shown a malignant evolution-two evolved toward Waldenström's macroglobulinemia after 3 years and two could be classified as myeloma 3 and 7 years, respectively, after detection of the monoclonal protein. The remaining cases were still "asymptomatic" 4 years later (7 cases), 7-9 years later (8 cases) and 14 years later (1 case). A malignant evolution occurred in approximately 20% of cases.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001536:Bence Jones Protein / Q000032:analysis; D001782:Blood Donors; D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011379:Prognosis; D008258:Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D001536:Bence Jones Protein