The primary types of amyloidosis include:
- AL (Light Chain or Primary) Amyloidosis is the most frequently diagnosed type of amyloidosis. It develops when plasma cells in the bone marrow produce an abnormal protein (light chain) that accumulates in organs, leading to a decline in function and, in many cases, organ failure. It is closely related to a blood cancer called multiple myeloma and is often treated with the same treatment methods: chemotherapy, and in some cases, stem cell transplant. AL amyloidosis affects twice as many men as women, with up to 4,000 new diagnoses each year.
- Secondary Amyloidosis is caused by long-term inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The organs most often affected include the kidneys and the heart. A form of secondary amyloidosis, known as wild-type (also called senile or age-related) TTR amyloidosis, typically affects the hearts of older men.
- Hereditary (Familial) Amyloidosis is an inherited genetic mutation that is passed from an affected parent to a child. A child whose parent carries the genetic mutation has a 50 percent chance of also carrying the mutation. It can affect the kidneys, heart, nerves, digestive tract, liver and/or central nervous system. The OSUCCC – James Comprehensive Amyloidosis Clinic provides free genetic testing to at-risk family members of James patients diagnosed with hereditary amyloidosis.
If you have been diagnosed with amyloidosis, would like a second opinion or would like to speak with an amyloidosis specialist, please call The James Line at 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.
If you are a health care provider and would like to find out more, refer a patient or schedule a consult, please call 614-293-3196.