What type of cancer is described as occurring in plasma cells?

Myeloma is a type of cancer that specifically develops in plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies. When these plasma cells become malignant, they multiply uncontrollably and disrupt normal blood cell production and immune function. This overgrowth of abnormal plasma cells can lead to various complications, including bone damage, kidney issues, and suppression of normal immune responses.

In contrast, Hodgkin lymphoma arises from a different type of lymphocyte (B cells) and is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. Leukemia is a broader category that involves the uncontrolled proliferation of blood cells, including both lymphoid and myeloid lineages, but does not specifically pertain to plasma cells. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, similarly, originates from lymphocytes but does not focus exclusively on plasma cells. Each of these conditions has distinct pathophysiological features and does not involve the malignant proliferation of plasma cells as seen in myeloma.