title: Paraproteinemic neuropathies.
abstract: The paraproteinemias are a heterogeneous group of disorders in which monoclonal plasma cells cause the proliferation of monoclonal proteins. They are of importance to clinicians because they often occur in association with neuropathies. Neurologists play a particularly important role when the neuropathy is the presenting feature, in which case they may uncover clinical, laboratory, radiologic, electrodiagnostic, or biopsy findings that lead to identification of the underlying paraproteinemia. The frequency of neuropathies in these patients, and the extent to which such neuropathies dominate the clinical picture, varies significantly between the different paraproteinemias. Treatments may be aimed specifically at the neuropathy, or against the underlying hematologic disorder. In all patients with paraproteinemias, the neurologist can work collaboratively with the hematologist to formulate therapeutic plans and goals and can provide follow-up and monitoring to determine the response of the neuropathy to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, EC 037, 30 Hope Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, USA.
authors.forename: Divisha
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raheja
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Specht
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Simmons
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / Q000276:immunology; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein
keywords: POEMS syndrome; monoclonal gammopathy; myeloma; neuropathy; paraproteinemia