Monoclonal gammopathy in human neoplasia

Monoclonal gammopathy unassociated with overt multiple myeloma was detected in 0.65% of 5066 individuals who were referred for the evaluation of known or suspected neoplasia. The incidence, age and sex distributions were similar to those found in a large population of normal adults, suggesting that the association of monoclonal gammopathy with nonreticuloendothelial neoplasms has a fortuitous rather than a cause and effect relationship. The failure of effective treatment of the associated neoplasm to alter favorably the concentration of the serum gammopathy supported this view. This abnormality may represent an early phase in the slow evolution of multiple myeloma; this emphasizes the importance of early recognition and long term evaluation.