What is the Relationship Between AL Amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma?

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of All Things Amyloid, we hear from Dr. Giada Bianchi, hematologist at the Amyloidosis Program at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Adapted from her video, hear about the relationship between AL amyloidosis and multiple myeloma. While both AL amyloidosis and multiple myeloma are plasma cell disorders and share similar patient care treatments, they diverge in pathogenic mechanisms. It’s important to note that approximately 10-15% of multiple myeloma patients will experience overlapping AL Amyloidosis, elevating the importance of understanding the similarities and differences in diagnostic criteria and patient care. In this presentation, Dr. Bianchi outlines the distinguishing diagnostic criteria between the two, why only one is considered cancer. Her video can be found in the Education Hub on Mackenzie’s Mission website. For an overview of amyloidosis, please see episode 2 (for clinicians) or episode 3 (for patients).