Intermediate
Technical
IVT
plasmacytosis
Pronunciation: plaz-mah-sy-TOH-sis
An abnormal increase in plasma cells in the bone marrow or other tissues.
Full Definition
Plasmacytosis refers to an elevated number of plasma cells beyond normal limits, typically defined as greater than 5% in bone marrow or increased numbers in peripheral tissues. This finding can indicate various conditions ranging from reactive inflammatory processes to plasma cell neoplasms like multiple myeloma. The degree of plasmacytosis, along with other clinical and laboratory findings, helps differentiate between benign reactive conditions and malignant plasma cell disorders.
In Context
- "Bone marrow biopsy demonstrated 15% plasmacytosis with atypical morphology." — Pathology report
- "Reactive plasmacytosis was noted in the setting of chronic inflammatory disease." — Diagnostic summary
Also known as
plasma cell infiltration
Contrasted with
plasma cell depletion
Don't confuse with
plasmacytoma
plasma cell dyscrasia