TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Heavy-Chain Diseases A1 - Lichtman, Marshall A. A1 - Kaushansky, Kenneth A1 - Prchal, Josef T. A1 - Levi, Marcel M. A1 - Burns, Linda J. A1 - Linch, David C. PY - 2022 T2 - Williams Manual of Hematology, 10e AB - The heavy-chain diseases (HCDs) are neoplastic disorders of B cells that produce monoclonal immunoglobulins (Ig) consisting of truncated heavy chains without attached light chains.In decreasing order of incidence, HCD involves synthesis of defective α, γ, or μ heavy chains.The diagnosis is established from immunofixation of serum, urine, or secretory fluids in the case of α-HCD or from immunohistologic analysis of the proliferating lymphoplasmacytic cells in nonsecretory disease.There is a high frequency of autoimmune disorders preceding or concurrent with the diagnosis of HCD, particularly γ-HCD.Table 71–1 summarizes the clinical features of the three types of HCD. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - hemonc.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1189335900 ER -