Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors Tests and diagnosis

Complications Treatments and drugs Prevention Coping and support

Definition

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is caused by an overabundance of a certain protein in your blood. Monoclonal gammopathy doesn't cause any signs and symptoms. Your doctor may have discovered your monoclonal gammopathy coincidentally during a blood test for some other disease or condition.

Monoclonal gammopathy is more common in adults over age 50. Monoclonal gammopathy occurs more frequently in men and in black people.

Monoclonal gammopathy raises concerns because it can progress to become a more serious condition, such as multiple myeloma or another cancer, in some cases. Doctors have difficulty predicting who will go on to develop a more serious disease and who won't. For this reason, people with monoclonal gammopathy usually undergo annual checkups to look for signs that their condition is progressing to something more serious.

NEXT:

Symptoms