Benign monoclonal gammopathy – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 by Rita Winters

Benign monoclonal gammopathy, also known as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), is an asymptomatic pre-malignant clonal plasma cell or a lymphoplasmacytic proliferative disorder. It is a condition wherein an abnormal monoclonal (clone from a single cell) immunoglobulin (Ig) is detected in the blood. These Ig cells or protein cells grow from a small number of plasma cells in the bone marrow, which typically fight off infections. Benign monoclonal gammopathy generally does not cause any problems, but some people may experience general weakness, and usually progress to a malignant disorder. Over three percent of the total Caucasian population over the age of 50 has this disorder, usually discovered through protein electrophoresis when evaluating for different kinds of disorders such as peripheral neuropathy, vasculitis, hemolytic anemia, skin rashes, hypercalcemia, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Monoclonal gammopathy is the most common of a family of diseases called plasma cell dyscrasias. It is experienced mostly by older adults (around 70 years of age). People with MGUS generally have a greater risk of developing serious diseases of the blood and bone marrow.

The cause of benign monoclonal gammopathy is currently unknown, but the causal theories of multiple myeloma may be applicable to it. Multiple myeloma is almost always the resulting condition of benign monoclonal gammopathy.

Benign monoclonal gammopathy has three distinct types, each with a risk of resulting in more advanced pre-malignant stages onward to a malignant plasma cell dyscrasia or lymphoproliferative disorder. These types include: Non-IgM MGUS, the most common type which usually leads to asymptomatic or symptomatic multiple myeloma; IgM MGUS, which accounts for 15 percent of MGUS cases which usually leads to Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia; and light-chain MGUS which leads to light-chain multiple myeloma.

Known risks and symptoms of benign monoclonal gammopathy

Since it is benign, MGUS does not show any symptoms. However, other illnesses may develop from having benign monoclonal gammopathy, such as multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, plasma cell leukemia, primary amyloidosis, solitary plasmacytoma, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia.

Some instances of benign monoclonal gammopathy, when progressed, include symptoms such as anemia or low red blood cells count, lack of energy or fatigue and tiredness, general weakness, pain in the bones or soft tissues, tingling or numbness in the feet or hands, infections that keep coming back, increased bruising on the skin, bleeding, weight loss, headaches, vision problems, swelling, and changes in mental capacity or cognition.

People with MGUS have a higher risk of bone fractures and bone loss.

Body systems harmed by benign monoclonal gammopathy

Benign monoclonal gammopathy is a disorder in the blood, and may result in severe diseases in relation to blood or bone marrow.

Food items or nutrients that may prevent benign monoclonal gammopathy

There are no known remedies for benign monoclonal gammopathy, however, multiple myeloma remedies may work for it as well. Foods that help with this disorder include adding curcumin (from turmeric) to the daily diet. Turmeric is known to have many health benefits, and it kills multiple myeloma cells. Avoidance of foods such as chicken may also help with disease and prevention of MGUS and multiple myeloma. Foods that are harmful to health such as sodas, sweets, and other highly-processed food must also be avoided at all costs.

Treatments, management plans for benign monoclonal gammopathy

There is currently no known treatment for benign monoclonal gammopathy. Complete assessments of patients with this disorder must be done in order to prevent progression of the disease towards more serious diseases such as multiple myeloma. Most patients with benign monoclonal gammopathy are only treated on the onset of its progression.