Dictionary

kuru disease: A progressive disease of the central nervous system marked by increasing lack of coordination and advancing to paralysis and death within a year of the appearance of symptoms. Also known as laughing sickness, due to the outbursts of laughter that mark the disease's second phase. Believed to be transmitted by cannibalistic consumption of diseased brain tissue.

light chain disposition disease (LCDD): LCDD causes antibody light chains to build up in multiple organs.

lymphoma: A cancer of lymph tissue found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver and bone marrow. Linked to secondary amyloidosis.

monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS): Indicates abnormal proteins in the blood stream.

multiple myeloma: Also known as plasma cell myeloma, myelomatosis and Kahler's disease, multiple myeloma occurs when myeloma tumors appear at multiple sites within the body, especially the bones. Associated with amyloidosis.

organ amyloidosis: Amyloidosis is often associated with specific organs. In almost all of the organ-specific pathologies, there is significant debate as to whether the amyloid plaques are the causal agent of the disease or a symptom of a common idiopathic agent.