MGUS Pūmua rereke ki te toto (MGUS)
MGUS stands for monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance. It is a benign (non-cancerous) condition where the body makes an abnormal protein, called a paraprotein. This abnormal protein is found in your blood or wee (urine).
What MGUS is
Your bone marrow is the spongy centre of your bones. This is where your blood cells are made, including a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell.
Plasma cells help fight infections by producing antibodies (also called immunoglobulins). Antibodies are proteins that help to fight bacteria and viruses.
With MGUS there are abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow. The abnormal cells release an increased amount of a single type of antibody. This is known as a paraprotein, and it has no useful function.
Paraprotein can also be called M protein, or monoclonal protein. It is not related to protein you get from your food in any way.
Cause of MGUS
The cause of MGUS is not known. It is thought to involve complex changes at the genetic level.
The chances of developing MGUS increase as you get older. People diagnosed with it have an average age of 70. By age 70 about one in 20 people have MGUS.
You are also more likely to develop MGUS if you:
- are a man
- have African, Māori or Pacific Island ethnicity
- have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with MGUS or myeloma.
Diagnosing MGUS
MGUS does not cause any symptoms. It is only picked up from a blood or urine test taken for other reasons.
When a paraprotein is found in a test, your healthcare provider may recommend other tests to make sure you do not have other conditions that could cause this.
Treating MGUS
MGUS does not usually mean that you need any treatment. For most people, it stays stable and never causes any problems.
If you have been diagnosed with MGUS, it is important to have ongoing check ups with your healthcare provider. They will usually request a blood test for you every 6 to 12 months. They will look for any changes to your condition over time.
This is important because, for a small number of people, MGUS can develop into more serious conditions, including cancers such as myeloma or lymphoma.