General Information About Amyloidosis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a systemic disease causing organs to stiffen and fail due to abnormally structured (folded) amyloid proteins, which the body cannot break down, depositing between cells in tissues and organs.
The Primary (AL) type develops from a condition similar to the cancerous transformation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, while the Secondary (AA) type develops secondary to long-lasting chronic infection/inflammatory diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or FMF.
It varies depending on the affected organ. If it accumulates in the kidneys, severe edema in the legs and foamy urine (protein) are observed; if in the heart, shortness of breath, arrhythmia, and fatigue are seen. It can also cause an enlarged tongue (macroglossia).
Upon clinical suspicion, a definitive diagnosis is made by staining and examining a small tissue sample (biopsy) taken from subcutaneous fat tissue, kidney, or intestine with a special dye called 'Congo Red' in the laboratory.
Treatment is determined based on the type of amyloid protein. For the AL type, chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation is used; for the AA type, medications suppressing the underlying inflammatory disease (e.g., rheumatism) are administered.
It is quite difficult to clear accumulated amyloid protein from organs. Treatments generally aim to stop new protein production and support the affected organs (heart, kidney).
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
