DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed primary amyloidosis Must have presence of paraprotein in serum or urine determined by immunoelectrophoresis/immunofixation No primary amyloidosis manifested only by carpal tunnel syndrome or purpura No history of secondary, familial, or localized amyloidosis No evidence of overt multiple myeloma: Lytic bone disease or pathological fractures OR At least 30% plasma cells in bone marrow