Secondary systemic amyloidosis is a disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloids.
Secondary means it occurs because of another disease or situation. For example, this condition occurs along with chronic infection or chronic inflammatory disease.
Systemic means body-wide. For example, a systemic disease affects the entire body.
See also:
The exact cause is of amyloidosis unknown. You are more likely to develop secondary systemic amyloidosis is you have a long-term infection or inflammation.
This condition may occur along with:
Tests that may be done include:
The condition that is causing the amyloidosis should be treated. Some persons may need a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. There is no specific treatment for amyloidosis itself.
How well a person does depends on which organs are affected. If the disease involves the heart and kidneys, it may lead to organ failure and death.
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of this condition. Numbness, weak grip, shortness of breath, swelling, bleeding, and irregular heart beats are serious symptoms that require prompt medical attention.
If you have a disease that's known to increase your risk of this condition, make sure you get it treated. This may help prevent amyloidosis.
Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004.
Kumar V, Abbas AK, Fausto N. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005.