A typical cell can be seen at the tip of the black pointer. It is a large cell, with a nucleus that is placed at one end of the cell. A paler relatively understained area is seen near the nucleus. These features typify a plasma cell. Careful examination of this field reveals that most of the cells in this field resemble that cell.
Malignant myeloma is a tumor of plasma cells that arises usually in the bone marrow.
Clinically, myeloma presents either because of the local effects of tumor, or by the effects of the paraprotein synthesis. Local effects include bone pain and pathological fractures. In addition, the replacement of the marrow by the tumor can result in anemia. Reduction in white blood cell formation by the marrow can result in an increase in the frequency and severity of infections. The paraprotein also results in increased turnover of normal serum immunoglobulin, so that antibody mediated defence against infectious agents is impaired.