blood disorders
Heavy Chain Diseases
Gamma Heavy Chain Disease
Gamma heavy chain disease (IgG heavy chain disease) affects mainly older men. Some people with gamma heavy chain disease have no symptoms. Some people also have other immune system disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) , Infiltration of the bone marrow by cancerous plasma cells causes some people to have symptoms of recurring infections, such as repeated episodes of fever and chills associated with a decreased number of white blood cells, and fatigue and weakness associated with severe Overview of Anemia . Cancerous plasma cells may also enlarge the liver and spleen. Blood and urine tests are needed to make the diagnosis. People with symptoms may respond to chemotherapy drugs, corticosteroids, and radiation therapy. But gamma heavy chain disease usually progresses rapidly, and about half of affected people die within about a year. 