CD138 (Plasma Cell Marker)

The spongy, soft tissue in the centre of your body's flat, long bones is known as bone marrow. It's the bone marrow that is responsible for producing stem cells. Some stem cells transform into white blood cells, which are a primary constituent of your immune system.

There are different types of white blood cells, one of which is plasma cells. They are responsible for creating antibodies, which are the proteins that help fight off any disease causing microbes that enter your body.

If you have plasma cell neoplasms, your body is perhaps producing excessive plasma cells. Additionally, it's also facilitating the production of an antibody known as 'M protein,' which thickens the blood.

Some plasma cell neoplasms can cause tumours to form over your bones, thus causing cancer. Below are several types of plasma cell neoplasms:

• Multiple myeloma: This causes excessive growth of tumours on the normal cells, leading to weaker bones and lesser healthy blood cells.
• Plasmacytoma: It is a type of cancer wherein plasma cells create one single tumour either in one of your bones or the soft tissue outside your bone. This may further lead to multiple myeloma.
• Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma: This is another kind of cancer that spreads to your lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow. It leads to higher M protein which eventually causes blood to thicken. This condition is known as Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia.
• Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS): It's a condition wherein there is no tumour or cancer, but your body produces a significant number of M proteins. It's not harmful in most cases but can sometimes develop into multiple myeloma.

There are no known causes for plasma cell neoplasms, but you are more likely to get it if you are:

• 65-year or older
• an African-American
• a male

A CD138 (Plasma Cell Marker) test is significant in cases of plasma cell neoplasms. Getting this test will help:

• Examine if you have any neoplasms or tumours growing on your plasma
• Diagnose if you have tumour cells, thus suffering from cancer
• Initiate timely treatment for the disease

Now, every kind of plasma cell neoplasm has a different set of symptoms, so you need to be on a careful lookout.

MGUS does not show any symptoms. However, plasmacytoma shows up as broken bones or pain in the soft tissues or bones. Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma displays a set of following signs:

• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Exhaustion
• Headache
• Breathlessness
• Weight loss
• Tingling or numbing
• Hearing trouble

Multiple myeloma is difficult to spot since it does not show any early signs. When it does, you will notice the following:

• Extreme exhaustion
• Extreme pain in the bones
• Broken or weak bones
• Trouble in breathing
• Falling sick frequently

If these symptoms persist, connect with your healthcare provider. They are likely to order a CD138 (Plasma Cell Marker) test. You can book this test through the website of Apollo 24|7.