Plasma cell entities: a diagnostic challenge

The prevalence of multiple myeloma is increasing and is the most common hematological malignancy in old age. Despite increasing knowledge at times the criteria for multiple myeloma are not fulfilled. This study was carried out to show the significance of diagnostic modalities in diagnosis of multiple myeloma based on hematological, biochemical, serum and urine electrophoresis, radiological imaging techniques, and bone marrow plasmacytosis since the clinical features of multiple myeloma are variable. It is important to make early diagnosis as diagnostic delays can cause morbidity and mortality. We report 29 cases of plasma cell dyscrasias out of which 25 cases were multiple myeloma, 3 MGUS & 1 of dysgammaglobulinaemia.