Flaming cells in IgG myeloma

Plasma cell myeloma: role of histopathology, immunophenotyping, and genetic testing

Myeloma is a malignant neoplasm of plasma cells with complex pathogenesis. Diagnosis and risk stratification require the integration of histology, radiology, serology, and genetic data. Bone marrow biopsies are essential for myeloma diagnosis by providing material for histologic and cytologic assessment as well as immunophenotypic and genetic studies. Flow cytometry and genetic studies are, in particular, becoming increasingly important for diagnosis, risk stratification, and assessment of treatment response. Myeloma has traditionally been characterized by recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities that can be divided into two subtypes: hyperdiploid, characterized by trisomies, and non-hyperdiploid, characterized by translocations involving chromosome 14. These abnormalities are thought to be primary events, initiating a premalignant state, which progresses to myeloma through the acquisition of secondary mutations. The emergence of next-generation sequencing has led to the discovery of numerous mutations and gene fusions that comprise the heterogenous genomic landscape of myeloma. As the underlying pathogenesis of myeloma continues to be delineated, possible therapeutic targets have also emerged. Herein, we describe the importance of histology, immunophenotype, and mutational analysis in the assessment of myeloma.

Plasma cell morphology in multiple myeloma and related disorders

Normal and reactive plasma cells (PC) are easy to ascertain on human bone marrow films, due to their small mature-appearing nucleus and large cytoplasm, the latter usually deep blue after Giemsa staining. Cytoplasm is filled with long strands of rough endoplasmic reticulum and one large Golgi apparatus (paranuclear hof), demonstrating that PC are dedicated mainly to protein synthesis and excretion (immunoglobulin). Deregulation of the genome may induce clonal expansion of one PC that will lead to immunoglobulin overproduction and eventually to one among the so-called PC neoplasms. In multiple myeloma (MM), the number of PC is over 10% in most patients studied. Changes in the morphology of myeloma PC may be inconspicuous as compared to normal PC (30-50% patients). In other instances PC show one or several morphological changes. One is related to low amount of cytoplasm, defining lymphoplasmacytoid myeloma (10-15% patients). In other cases (40-50% patients), named immature myeloma cases, nuclear-cytoplasmic asynchrony is observed: presence of one nucleolus, finely dispersed chromatin and/or irregular nuclear contour contrast with a still large and blue (mature) cytoplasm. A peculiar morphological change, corresponding to the presence of very immature PC named plasmablasts, is observed in 10-15% cases. Several prognostic morphological classifications have been published, as mature myeloma is related to favorable outcome and immature myeloma, peculiarly plasmablastic myeloma, is related to dismal prognosis. However, such classifications are no longer included in current prognostic schemes. Changes related to the nucleus are very rare in monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS). In contrast, anomalies related to the cytoplasm of PC, including color (flaming cells), round inclusions (Mott cells, Russell bodies), Auer rod-like or crystalline inclusions, are reported in myeloma cases as well as in MGUS and at times in reactive disorders. They do not correspond to malignant changes of PC but are related to abnormal synthesis, trafficking, or excretion of the immunoglobulin that is stored in excess within the cytoplasm. Occurrence of crystalline inclusions within PC may be the first anomaly leading to the diagnosis of adult Fanconi syndrome. After a historical perspective, the authors report on the various morphological aspects of PC that may occur in multiple myeloma and related disorders, and discuss about their clinical and pathophysiological significance. Today, morphological identification and accurate determination of % PC within bone marrow remain ancillary criteria for the diagnosis of MM and help for the diagnosis of rare renal disorders.