RT Book, Section A1 Lichtman, Marshall A. A1 Kaushansky, Kenneth A1 Prchal, Josef T. A1 Levi, Marcel M. A1 Burns, Linda J. A1 Linch, David C. SR Print(0) ID 1189335900 T1 Heavy-Chain Diseases T2 Williams Manual of Hematology, 10e YR 2022 FD 2022 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781264269204 LK hemonc.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1189335900 RD 2024/03/28 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.