Amyloidosis is a diseased condition caused by the accumulation of amyloid proteins in the organs and tissues of the body. These abnormal proteins produced in the bone marrow and can build up in any organ like kidney, spleen, heart, and lungs. Amyloidosis is a rare condition that may cause organ damage and can be fatal. Different types of amyloidosis include AL amyloidosis (immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis), AA amyloidosis, Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA), Familial, or hereditary, amyloidosis, Age-related (senile) systemic amyloidosis, and Organ-specific amyloidosis.
Symptoms of amyloidosis depend on the type of disease and can include spleen enlargement, swelling of the legs, numbness, bleeding, tongue enlargement, tiredness, weight loss, a drop in blood pressure, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and diarrhea. Amyloidosis occurs more in men than in females. Patients with a known kidney disease and multiple myeloma have more risk of developing amyloidosis. Diagnostic methods for amyloidosis include blood tests, biopsy, genetic testing, and MRI. Doctors use multiple treatment strategies such as chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, surgery, and targeted therapy to treat amyloidosis.