monoclonal_gammopathy [Neurosurgery Wiki]

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Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS, unknown or uncertain may be substituted for undetermined), formerly benign monoclonal gammopathy, is a condition in which an abnormal immunoglobin protein (known as a paraprotein) is found in the blood during standard laboratory blood tests. MGUS resembles multiple myeloma and similar diseases, but the levels of antibody are lower, the number of plasma cells (white blood cells that secrete antibodies) in the bone marrow is lower, and it has no symptoms or major problems. However, multiple myeloma develops at the rate of about 1.5% a year, so doctors recommend monitoring it yearly.

The progression from MGUS to multiple myeloma usually involves several steps. In rare cases, it may also be related with a slowly progressive symmetric distal sensorimotor neuropathy.