Abstract
In 1969 Ogawa et al. reported the second case of E myeloma of plasma cell leukemia type. The author had an opportunity to identify the pathological cells producing myeloma protein by fluorescent antibody method. Present report describes the staining pattern of E myeloma cells in bone marrow and blood comparing with normal γE forming cells.
The pathological cells were very atypical “plasma cell” with abundant basophilic cytoplasma and eccentric nucleus while some smaller cells with round narrow cytoplasma resembling mediumsized lymphocyte were also observed. Fluorescent antibody technique revealed the presence of γE in the cytoplasma of these pathological “plasma cells.” Some cells showed narrow cytoplasmic fluorescence which were comparable to the lymphoid cells producing γE in normal cases.
It is of interest that clinically distinctly rare type of “plasma cell leukemia” occurred in two known cases of E myeloma. Although the origin and nature of these cells are not known, possible relations to lymphoid system and Waldenström macroglobulinemia were discussed.
