Plasma cells develop from B cells (B lymphocytes B cells One of the body's lines of defense ( immune system) involves white blood cells (leukocytes) that travel through the bloodstream and into tissues, searching for and attacking microorganisms and... read more 
), a type of white blood cell that normally produces antibodies Antibodies One of the body's lines of defense ( immune system) involves white blood cells (leukocytes) that travel through the bloodstream and into tissues, searching for and attacking microorganisms and... read more (immunoglobulins). Antibodies are proteins that help the body fight infection. If a single plasma cell B cells One of the body's lines of defense ( immune system) involves white blood cells (leukocytes) that travel through the bloodstream and into tissues, searching for and attacking microorganisms and... read more multiplies excessively, the resulting group of genetically identical cells (called a clone) produces a large quantity of a single type of antibody Antibodies One of the body's lines of defense ( immune system) involves white blood cells (leukocytes) that travel through the bloodstream and into tissues, searching for and attacking microorganisms and... read more . Because this antibody is made by a single clone, it is called a monoclonal antibody and also is known as the M-protein. People with a large quantity of the M protein often have low levels of other antibodies making them more susceptible to infections. Immunoglobulins are sometimes referred to as gamma globulins, so a disorder may be called a gammopathy. (See also Overview of Plasma Cell Disorders Overview of Plasma Cell Disorders Plasma cell disorders are uncommon. They begin when a single plasma cell multiplies excessively. The resulting group of genetically identical cells (called a clone) produces a large quantity... read more .)
In general, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) occurs in more than 5% of people older than 70, but it does not cause significant health problems unless it progresses to myeloma Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in which abnormal plasma cells multiply uncontrollably in the bone marrow and occasionally in other parts of the body. People often have bone pain... read more or a related serious B-cell disorder.
This disorder does not usually cause symptoms, so it is almost always discovered by chance when laboratory tests are done for other purposes, such as to measure protein in the blood. However, the monoclonal antibody can bind to nerves and lead to numbness, tingling, and weakness. People with this disorder also are more likely to have bone loss and fractures.
The M-protein levels in people with MGUS often remain stable for years—25 years in some people—and do not require treatment. However, if evaluation shows evidence of significant loss of bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a condition in which a decrease in the density of bones weakens the bones, making breaks (fractures) likely. Aging, estrogen deficiency, low vitamin D or calcium intake, and... read more 
), doctors may recommend treatment with bisphosphonates.
For unknown reasons, in about one quarter of people with this disorder, there is a progression to a cancer, such as multiple myeloma Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in which abnormal plasma cells multiply uncontrollably in the bone marrow and occasionally in other parts of the body. People often have bone pain... read more , macroglobulinemia Macroglobulinemia Macroglobulinemia is a plasma cell cancer in which a single clone of plasma cells produces excessive amounts of a certain type of large antibody (IgM) called macroglobulins. Although many people... read more , or B-cell lymphoma Overview of Lymphoma Lymphomas are cancers of lymphocytes, which reside in the lymphatic system and in blood-forming organs. Lymphomas are cancers of a specific type of white blood cells known as lymphocytes. These... read more 
, often after many years. This progression cannot be prevented. About twice a year, people with a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance are usually monitored with a physical examination and blood and sometimes urine tests to determine whether progression to cancer is beginning to occur. If progression is detected early, symptoms and complications of the cancer may be prevented or treated sooner.
