Which finding on electrophoresis is most characteristic of the multiple myeloma case?

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Multiple Choice

Which finding on electrophoresis is most characteristic of the multiple myeloma case?

Multiple myeloma causes a clone of plasma cells to produce a single type of immunoglobulin, which appears on serum protein electrophoresis as a monoclonal spike. This sharp, narrow band in the gamma region—the abnormal gamma M-spike—is the hallmark seen on electrophoresis, reflecting the overproduction of one immunoglobulin by malignant plasma cells. While hypercalcemia and anemia are common clinical features and rouleaux can be seen on a blood smear, they are not the distinctive electrophoresis pattern.

Multiple myeloma causes a clone of plasma cells to produce a single type of immunoglobulin, which appears on serum protein electrophoresis as a monoclonal spike. This sharp, narrow band in the gamma region—the abnormal gamma M-spike—is the hallmark seen on electrophoresis, reflecting the overproduction of one immunoglobulin by malignant plasma cells. While hypercalcemia and anemia are common clinical features and rouleaux can be seen on a blood smear, they are not the distinctive electrophoresis pattern.

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