Pathology · single question
Macroglossia in multiple myeloma patients is due to which condition?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Amyloidosis
Amyloidosis (A). Multiple myeloma (a plasma cell malignancy) produces abnormal immunoglobulin light chains (Bence Jones proteins) that can misfold and deposit as amyloid fibrils in tissues. When amyloid deposits in the tongue → macroglossia (enlarged tongue).
• Primary systemic amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis): associated with multiple myeloma and other plasma cell dyscrasias.
• Tongue amyloid deposition is the MOST COMMON oral manifestation of systemic amyloidosis — classic 'cobblestone' or enlarged tongue appearance.
• Other oral manifestations: petechiae, gingival papules, macroglossia causing speech/swallowing difficulties.
• Other causes of macroglossia: Down syndrome, hypothyroidism, acromegaly, hemangioma/lymphangioma, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.
• Multiple myeloma itself can cause jaw lesions (punched-out radiolucencies in skull/jawbones).
• Primary systemic amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis): associated with multiple myeloma and other plasma cell dyscrasias.
• Tongue amyloid deposition is the MOST COMMON oral manifestation of systemic amyloidosis — classic 'cobblestone' or enlarged tongue appearance.
• Other oral manifestations: petechiae, gingival papules, macroglossia causing speech/swallowing difficulties.
• Other causes of macroglossia: Down syndrome, hypothyroidism, acromegaly, hemangioma/lymphangioma, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.
• Multiple myeloma itself can cause jaw lesions (punched-out radiolucencies in skull/jawbones).