Cancer and Other Diseases Treated —
Amyloidosis

About Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a group of diseases in which one or more organ systems in the body accumulates deposits of abnormal proteins. Although amyloidosis is not cancer, it is a very serious condition.

There are three major types of amyloidosis: primary, secondary and familial.

1. Primary amyloidosis is the most common form of amyloidosis. It is a plasma disorder that affects the bone marrow. With amyloidosis, cells in the bone marrow produce antibodies that cannot be broken down. These antibodies then begin to build up in the bloodstream. Ultimately, they leave the bloodstream and can deposit in the tissues or organs as amyloid. The build-up of amyloid protein can cause organs and body systems — including the heart, kidneys, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract — to malfunction.
    
2. Secondary amyloidosis is caused by a chronic infection or inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, familial Mediterranean fever, osteomyelitis or granulomatous ileitis. The deposits in this type of the disease are made up of a protein called the AA protein. Medical or surgical treatment of the underlying chronic infection or inflammatory disease can slow or stop the progression of this type of amyloid.
    
3. Familial amyloidosis is inherited and is a rare form of the disease that is found in families of nearly every ethnic background.

Treatment for Amyloidosis

At the Rush Bone Marrow Transplant Center, we recommend treatment with high-dose melphalan as early in the disease course as possible for patients meeting specific criteria.

Questions About Amyloidosis

Q: Is there a cure for amyloidosis?
A: There is no known cure for the condition, but the disease can be treated.

Q: What are the symptoms of amyloidosis?
A: The symptoms of amyloidosis appear gradually and progress slowly. The actual symptoms depend on the organ affected.