Question

What is NOT true about multiple myeloma?

• A. It is more common in those over 50 years of age
• B. It arises from clones of plasma cells
• C. Bence Jones proteins are abnormal whole immunoglobulins found in urine
• D. There is a predisposition to amyloidosis

Hint:

Remember what a Bence Jones protein actually is: a free light chain, not a full antibody.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell cancer. Let's test each statement against what is actually known about it.

1. More common over 50 years: True. Myeloma is mainly a disease of older adults.
2. Arises from clones of plasma cells: True. One transformed plasma cell multiplies into a clone that overproduces a single antibody type.
3. Bence Jones proteins are abnormal whole immunoglobulins in urine: False. A whole immunoglobulin has both heavy and light chains bound together. Bence Jones protein is only the free light chain part, small enough to be filtered into urine on its own. Calling it a whole Ig is incorrect.
4. Predisposition to amyloidosis: True. The extra free light chains can misfold and deposit in organs as AL amyloid.

Only the third statement misdescribes Bence Jones protein, so it is the one that is not true.

Let's summarize:

• Bence Jones protein is a free light chain fragment, not an intact immunoglobulin.
• The other three statements correctly describe age, clonal origin, and amyloid risk in myeloma.

The false statement is about Bence Jones proteins being whole immunoglobulins.