Plasma cell acid phosphatase, a discriminative test for benign and malignant monoclonal gammopathies.

Abstract

Acid phosphatase activity estimated cytochemically is markedly increased in myeloma plasma cells compared to that found in normal plasma cells, polyclonal plasma-cytoses and most interestingly in the non-myelomatous monoclonal dysglobulinaemias. In the differential diagnosis of this last group the test has a useful role.