Diagnosis of plasma cell myeloma.

Diagnosis of myeloma depends on identification of malignant plasma cells and the product of these cells, a monoclonal immunoprotein. Of the clinical manifestations of plasma cell myeloma, skeletal pain and anemia are two of the more common. Unexplained anemia and osteoporosis noted in the elderly should suggest the possibility of myeloma; this combination of symptoms certainly warrants obtaining a protein electrophoresis. Hypercalcemia and renal insufficiency are frequent sequelae of myeloma.