Question

A 55-yr old male presents with symptoms of fatigue. His hemoglobin is 10.6 g/dL, MCV is 92 fL. His serum ferritin, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels are normal. Absolute neutrophil count is 1.3 x 10(9)/L, calcium is 9.2 mg/dL, albumin is 3.8 g/dL. A serum protein electrophoresis reveals a monoclonal IgA protein of 1.5 g/dL. A skeletal survey shows 30% involvement by abnormal appearing plasma cells. These results are consistent with:

Answer 1

The presented symptoms, lab results, and diagnostic findings are consistent with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer characterized by the production of abnormal monoclonal proteins (M proteins) and the presence of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow.

Step-by-step explanation:

The presented symptoms, lab results, and diagnostic findings are consistent with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that affects antibody-secreting cells. Multiple myeloma is characterized by the production of abnormal monoclonal proteins (M proteins) and the presence of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow.

In this case, the serum protein electrophoresis revealed a monoclonal IgA protein, which is a type of M protein. The skeletal survey also showed 30% involvement by abnormal appearing plasma cells, further supporting the diagnosis. Multiple myeloma can cause symptoms like fatigue, anemia (represented by low hemoglobin levels), and abnormal protein levels in the blood.

Treatment for multiple myeloma may involve chemotherapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and targeted therapies.