What are symptoms of kappa light chain disease?

Symptoms can be related to the disease as it affects your body as a whole, such as weakness and fatigue, weight loss, bone pain, or numbness/tingling of your arms or legs.

Is LCDD cancerous?

Technically, light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is not considered a cancer . However, it shares some characteristics with cancer, and can be associated with certain types of cancer.

How is light chain deposition disease diagnosed?

The diagnosis of LCDD can be made with a kidney biopsy. The characteristic morphological findings in LCDD are nodular glomerulosclerosis and nonfibrillar electron-dense deposits on the glomerular or tubular basement membrane, as seen with electron microscopy (EM).

Is LCDD curable?

There is no standard treatment for LCDD. High-dose melphalan in conjunction with autologous stem cell transplantation has been used in some patients.

Does high kappa light chain mean myeloma?

While increased numbers of either arm, called kappa or lambda light chains, is likely bad news that may ultimately mean multiple myeloma, to more accurately diagnose and monitor the condition, we need to evaluate the concentrations of each light chain differently, investigators report.

How is LCDD treated?

The treatment of LCDD is challenging but the use of Bortezomib, a proteosome inhibitor, is promising. However, suboptimal response may require further treatment with other therapeutic options such as chemotherapy with alkylating agents or high-dose Melphalan with autologous stem cell transplant.

What is the kappa light chain?

Light chains are proteins produced by immune cells called plasma cells. Also called kappa and lambda light chains, they link together with other proteins (heavy chains) to form immunoglobulins (also known as antibodies) that target and neutralize specific threats to the body such as bacteria and viruses.

Is light chain disease hereditary?

In the usual type of immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis (AL), no hereditary pattern has been identified, and the disease is considered “sporadic.” The only definite requirement for amyloid formation appears to be a plasma cell dyscrasia that produces excess monoclonal amyloid fibril precursor protein.

Is LCDD genetic?

The underlying cause of LCDD is unknown. It is often associated with multiple myeloma. LCDD may progress to multiple myeloma, or it may be present with multiple myeloma when it is first diagnosed.

What conditions are mistaken for myeloma?

Conditions That Can Look Like Multiple Myeloma

Arthritis.
Back Injury.
Pneumonia.
Kidney Disease.
Amyloidosis.
Diabetes.
Lyme Disease.
Hypercalcemia.

Can a person with LCDD develop kidney failure?

More than 90% of people with LCDD develop kidney failure, often with rapid progression of disease. Light chains may be deposited in many other organs and may or may not result in any symptoms. Other than the kidneys, liver and heart are the most commonly involved organs. Deposition of light chains in the liver may lead…

How does light chain deposition disease ( LCDD ) work?

Summary Summary. Light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is a rare condition characterized by the deposition of specific proteins (monoclonal light chains) in the kidneys and other organs. Light chains are used to make antibodies that the body needs to fight infection.

What are the signs and symptoms of LCDD?

Signs and symptoms of LCDD may include protein in the urine; decreased kidney function; and/or nephrotic syndrome. Rarely, a person with LCDD may have symptoms from cardiac (heart) or liver involvement.

Can a person with LCDD have multiple myeloma?

Rarely, a person with LCDD may have symptoms from cardiac (heart) or liver involvement. The underlying cause of LCDD is unknown. It is often associated with multiple myeloma. LCDD may progress to multiple myeloma, or it may be present with multiple myeloma when it is first diagnosed.

What are symptoms of kappa light chain disease?