title: Three cases of multiple myeloma in which the preclinical asymptomatic phases persisted throughout 15 to 24 years.
abstract: During the period from 1950 to 1952, three patients were studied by electrophoresis according to Tiselius on account of anticomplementary activity at WR; the presence of an M-component was demonstrated. On several later occasions it was observed that this component at first seemed to remain unchanged, later it was slightly increased; repeated examinations did not give evidence of multiple myeloma. At intervals ranging from 15 to 24 years after the primary demonstration of the M-component, all three patients presented with symptoms of multiple myeloma and died within less than one year after the disease had been diagnosed. The following conclusions are drawn:(1) The preclinical phase of multiple myeloma may cover up to 24 years.(2) A presence of multiple myeloma cannot be precluded, even after follow-up throughout 24 years, in cases of the so-called "benign monoclonal gammopathy".
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001796:Blood Protein Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D005719:gamma-Globulins; D003165:Complement System Proteins