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Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a condition in which an abnormal protein (monoclonal protein, or M protein) is in the blood. M protein is produced by plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance usually causes no problems. Sometimes, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance is either associated with another disease or can progress over years to other disorders, including some forms of blood cancer.

If you have monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, you'll usually have periodic checkups to monitor your level of M protein. If there's no increase, monoclonal gammopathy doesn't require treatment.

With close monitoring, if monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance does progress, you'll get earlier treatment.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance rarely causes signs or symptoms. The condition is usually detected by chance when you have a routine blood test for another problem. However, some people may experience nerve problems, such as numbness or tingling, associated with the abnormal protein.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance occurs when plasma cells in your bone marrow produce an abnormal protein called monoclonal protein (M protein). Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell. They are found in your bone marrow. Plasma cells produce some of the antibodies that help your body fight infection.

In the majority of people with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, the protein isn't harmful. But when too much M protein accumulates, it crowds out healthy cells in your bone marrow and can damage other tissues in your body.

Genetic changes appear to play a role in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, as do environmental triggers.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Appointments & care

At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance is usually detected during a blood test for another condition or other symptom, such as a nerve condition called peripheral neuropathy or an unexplained rash. The test, called serum protein electrophoresis (SPE), separates your blood proteins into five parts and can show any abnormal proteins as well as unusual amounts of normal proteins. Another test, the free light chain assay, is often done at the same time as the SPE, and it looks at the smaller parts of the M protein.

If your doctor detects monoclonal gammopathy, further testing may be ordered to determine what M protein your body is making and how much is being made. Your doctor also works to rule out other causes of elevated protein levels. Tests may include:

• Blood tests. Tests to count the blood cells in your blood (complete blood count), to look for decline in kidney function (serum creatinine test) and to determine the amount of calcium in your blood (serum calcium test) can help rule out other types of monoclonal gammopathy, such as multiple myeloma.
• Urine tests. Urine tests may be performed to determine if the abnormal protein is being released in the urine or to diagnose any kidney damage as a result of the protein. You'll likely need to collect your urine for 24 hours for this test.
• X-rays. X-rays help your doctor look for bone abnormalities that may indicate another type of plasma cell disorder.
• Bone marrow test. During a bone marrow test, your doctor uses a hollow needle to remove a portion of your bone marrow from the back of one of your hipbones. The bone marrow is then analyzed to determine what percentage of plasma cells it contains. This test is generally only done when doctors suspect that someone is at risk of developing a more serious disease, or in people with unexplained anemia, kidney failure, bone lesions or high calcium levels.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Some people with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance develop a more serious condition, such as multiple myeloma or other cancers or blood disorders.

Doctors can't definitively predict who will go on to develop a more serious condition, but they can determine who has the greatest risk. Your doctor takes into account several factors when determining your risk, including:

• The amount of M protein in your blood
• The type of M protein
• The amount of another small protein (free light chain) in your blood

Your risk of developing a more serious condition increases the longer you've had monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Also, the more risk factors you have, the higher your risk of developing a more serious condition.

Other complications associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance include fractures and blood clots.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Right now, the cause of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance is unknown, so there is no way to prevent monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and no way to stop it from progressing to a more serious condition.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Although you can't control whether monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance will lead to something more serious, you can control many aspects of your health. The following suggestions may help:

• Learn what you can about monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Write down questions that come up and ask your doctor about them during your next appointment. Ask your health care team about resources for more information. The better you understand what's going on in your body, the more you may be able to take an active role in your health care.
• Control what you can about your health. Living a healthy lifestyle may not reduce your risk of complications in the future, but it can make you feel better and reduce your risk of other diseases and conditions. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Get regular exercise. Get enough sleep so that you wake feeling rested. Reduce the amount of stress in your life.
• Stick to your checkup schedule. Follow your checkup schedule and get the tests to monitor for more-serious diseases. Though you might be nervous about receiving your test results, diagnosing a serious condition, such as cancer, in the early stages may improve your chance for a cure.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Factors that increase your risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance include:

• Your age. The risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance increases as you get older. The highest incidence is among adults age 85 and older.
• Your race. Blacks are more likely to experience this condition than are whites.
• Your sex. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance is more common in men than it is in women.
• A family history. If other people in your family have monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, your risk of developing the disorder may be higher.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com