Multiple and complex chromosomal abnormalities have been described in multiple myeloma (MM).<sup>15 Dewald G.W., Kyle R.A., Hicks G.A. , e al. The clinical significance of cytogenetic studies in 100 patients with multiple myeloma, plasma cell leukemia, or amyloidosis Blood 1985 ;  66 : 380

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 23 Gould J., Alexanian R., Goodacre A. , e al. Plasma cell karyotype in multiple myeloma Blood 1988 ;  71 : 453

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 25 Lai J.L., Zandecki M., Mary J.Y. , e al. Improved cytogenetics in multiple myeloma: A study of 151 patients including 117 patients at diagnosis Blood 1995 ;  85 : 2490

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 34 Sawyer J.R., Waldron J.A., Jagannath S. , e al. Cytogenetic findings in 200 patients with multiple myeloma Cancer Genet Cytogenet 1995 ;  82 : 41  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 45 Zandecki M., Lai J.L., Facon T. Multiple myeloma: Almost all patients are cytogenetically abnormal Br J Haematol 1996 ;  94 : 217

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Early studies revealed that both structural and numeric abnormalities were seen when metaphases were analyzed using conventional cytogenetic (CC) methods. Recently, interest in the biologic and prognostic significance of the abnormalities has been rekindled by reports describing dissimilar clinical courses for patients with specific chromosomal abnormalities. This article summarizes the current knowledge of chromosomal abnormalities associated with malignant plasma cells and their biologic and clinical significance.