what is a plasma cell?
Plasma cell, short-lived antibody-producing cell derived from a type of leukocyte (white blood cell) called a B cell. B cells differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibody molecules closely modeled after the receptors of the precursor B cell. Once released into the blood and lymph, these antibody molecules bind to the target antigen (foreign substance) and initiate its neutralization or destruction.
Print this Page. Plasmacytoma refers to a tumour consisting of abnormal plasma cells that grows within the soft tissue or bony skeleton. It can be present as a discreet solitary mass of abnormal plasma cells, in which case it is termed a solitary plasmacytoma or it can be present as part of a systemic disorder - called multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer of the plasma cells which are found in the bone marrow. The prognosis and treatment of solitary plasmacytomas is very different to multiple myeloma. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that develops from mature B-lymphocytes in the bone marrow. They play an important role in protecting the body against infection and disease by producing proteins called immunoglobulins (Ig), also known as antibodies. There are two main types of solitary plasmacytomas: