Living with Plasma cell leukemia
A rare, aggressive form of multiple myeloma in which many plasma cells circulate in the blood, mostly in adults.
Understanding Plasma cell leukemia
GARD says it usually appears in adults and older adults. It can involve disease outside the bone marrow (extramedullary disease), bone marrow failure and advanced stage disease.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet. It describes these features:
- High numbers of plasma cells in the blood
- Disease outside the bone marrow
- Bone marrow failure
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include blood and bone marrow specialists and cancer specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Blood and bone marrow specialists (hematologists); Cancer specialists (oncologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.
Also known as: leukaemia plasmacytic; leukemia plasmacytic; pcl; plasma cell leukemia, disease; plasma cell leukemia, morphology; plasmacytic leukaemia
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Plasma cell leukemia.
Explore research for Plasma cell leukemia
Explore actively recruiting Plasma cell leukemia studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Plasma cell leukemia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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