Infections and certain other stimuli lead to a response involving a controlled increase in plasma cells, termed plasmacytosis. Under other conditions, an uncontrolled or inappropriate increase in plasma cell proliferation occurs, known as plasma cell dyscrasia. Examples of plasma cell dyscrasias are plasma cell myeloma, Waldenstroms macroglobulinaemia and amyloidosis. Related conditions include agammaglobulinaemia and hypogammaglobulinaemia, which are also associated with a decrease in concentration of plasma gamma globulins and a impairment of antibody formation. Other disorders involving plasma cells are POEMS syndrome, plasmacytoma, and chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis.
DR
