Plasma Cell Leukaemia Infosheet

If you have been diagnosed with plasma cell leukaemia (PCL), this Infosheet will help you to understand what it is and how it is treated.

This Infosheet covers key questions and topics about PCL, including:

• What is PCL?
• What causes PCL?
• What are the symptoms and complications of PCL?
• How is PCL treated and managed?
• Sources of support

Key points you can read about in this Infosheet include:

• Plasma cell leukaemia (PCL) is a rare cancer
• A type of white blood cell, called plasma cells, become abnormal and some leave the bone marrow and get into the blood
• PCL is different to myeloma where most of the plasma cells remain in the bone marrow
• PCL may develop as a late stage of myeloma (secondary PCL), or occur in patients without previous myeloma (primary PCL)
• The causes of PCL are not known
• Symptoms and complications can include anaemia, bleeding easily, bone pain, fatigue, recurrent infections, and kidney damage
• PCL is generally more aggressive than myeloma. The range of treatment options is similar to that in myeloma
• Help and support is available for you. Speak to your healthcare team or Myeloma UK for more information

Plasma cell leukaemia Infosheet

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