Gammopathy

What Are Some Plasma Cell Diseases?

Plasma cells refer to cells that produce antibodies (immunoglobulins), proteins that are necessary to defend the body against infection. According to the Merck Manual, a compilation of medical information for medical professionals, plasma cells...

What May Cause Too Much Protein in Blood?

There are several potential causes of elevated levels of protein in the blood. The type of protein circulating in the blood is often an antibody. The plasma cell that produces antibodies is part of the immune system, and thus, elevated protein...

What Does a High Protein Level in the Blood Mean?

Everyone has some level of protein in his blood. In fact, serum proteins, as they are often called, serve many purposes, such as regulating blood pressure. High protein levels, however, are often an indication that something is wrong. More often...

Types of Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells--white blood cells that are located in the bone marrow. The term multiple myeloma is used because the cancer occurs at more than one site in the bones. There are several variants of multiple...

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma---cancer that arises in the plasma cells of the bone marrow---is a relatively rare malignancy. Representing 1 percent of cancers in Caucasians and 2 percent in African-Americans, it strikes more than 20,000 individuals in the...

What Are the Causes of Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer in the United States, striking more than 20,000 individuals each year. The incidence is higher in men and increases with advanced age. Although the causes are unclear, certain risk factors...

Causes of Multiple Myeloma Cancer

Multiple myeloma is a rare cancer, affecting about 20,000 Americans each year. Although the exact causes remain unclear, several risk factors have been identified. Established risk factors include older age and male gender, black race and family...

High Protein Count in Blood

Every day, your body works to maintain balance -- and not just the kind that keeps you from falling over. From the amount of fluid in your body to the level of protein in your blood, balance is what keeps you healthy. Blood proteins like albumin...

What Does Elevated Total Protein Mean?

Proteins are the most abundant compounds in your blood, responsible for building cell tissues and transporting hormones, vitamins, minerals and lipids. A total protein test is a way of measuring the combined amount of these substances. MedlinePlus...

The Effects of High Protein in the Blood

Your blood contains a number of proteins that serve functions ranging from maintaining fluid balance to enhancing your immune system. Your kidneys and liver are responsible for filtering these proteins, removing excess wastes from the body....