Clinicopathological Profile of Patients with Multiple Myeloma: An Ambispective Study

Introduction: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a clonal expansion of B lineage plasma cells in bone marrow. MM accounts for 10-15% of haematological malignancies and 1% of all malignant diseases. Though, the aetiology of the disease is largely unknown, various factors have been found to increase the incidence of MM. The present comprehensive research work on MM in the Malwa region of central India is an attempt to establish on clinicodemographic, haematological, biochemical and radiological parameters and finally to stage them according to Durie Salmon Staging (DSS) system.

Aim: To study clinicopathological profile of patients with MM.

Materials and Methods: The present ambispective study was conducted on total 70 cases of MM reported in the Department of Pathology at Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Post Graduate Institute, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, from July 2012 to June 2020. The study design included retrospective studies from July 2012 to December 2018 (six years and five months) and prospective studies from November 2017 to April 2019 (one year and five months). The demographic data of patients’ including history and clinical findings were recorded. Complete Blood Count (CBC) was done in all cases. Biochemical investigations were also done. Urine samples of all patients were screened for the presence of Bence Jones protein. Biochemical parameters and staging of MM patients was done. Statistical analysis prepared in excels spreadsheet and quantitative data were presented as proportions.

Results: The study included a total of 70 cases of MM diagnosed on peripheral smear and/or bone marrow examination. The male:female ratio was 2.1:1, with a male preponderance. The results of the present study, reported 48 (68.57%) patients were male and 22 (31.43%) patients were females. In the present investigation, the authors diagnosed serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were estimated in 65, out of 70 patients. Out of which, 25 (35.71%) patients had levels <240 U/L, while 23 (32.85%) and 17 (24.28%) patients had levels between 241-480 U/L and >480 U/L, respectively.

Conclusion: The present study, underlines the association between clinical presentation, laboratory parameters and radiological findings in establishing the diagnosis of MM. The present study emphasises not only the role of a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy in establishing a diagnosis of MM, but also, assessing the plasma cell burden in the marrow.