Amyloidosis

Overview

Mayo Clinic is one of a few medical centers in the United States studying the diagnosis and treatment of amyloidosis, a relatively rare blood disease. The Amyloidosis Foundation estimates that approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with this disease each year in North America. Mayo Clinic is a major treatment center for these patients, caring for more than 1,000 amyloidosis patients annually.

As a result of many years of research, Mayo Clinic offers new therapies that are not widely available, ranging from stem cell transplantation — Mayo Clinic is among the most experienced in the world in this treatment — to medications (not available commercially) which have shown promise in research conducted by Mayo Clinic. New clinical trials for amyloidosis treatment are continually being developed at Mayo.

Currently, amyloidosis has no cure, and no single therapy is appropriate for all people. However, various therapies can help patients manage symptoms and limit amyloid protein production. A team of Mayo Clinic doctors from different specialty areas (depending on which organs are affected) works to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate therapy for their particular situation. Each treatment team includes a specialist experienced in caring for amyloidosis patients.

Treatment depends on which amyloid protein is present in the body, where it is being deposited, and how it affects the organ(s) and other tissues. Read more about amyloidosis treatment.

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About Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis develops when amyloid (pronounced am'-i-loyd) proteins inexplicably build up in organs or tissue, including the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, gastrointestinal tract and nervous system. Most often, amyloid protein comes from cells in the bone marrow.

Amyloidosis results when the buildup of amyloid protein causes the organ(s) to malfunction. The heart, kidneys, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract are most often affected. Amyloidosis is an umbrella term that refers to the variety of conditions that can result from abnormal amyloid protein deposits. See types of amyloidosis. The Amyloidosis Foundation estimates that approximately 50,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with this disorder each year.

Although amyloid is an abnormal protein, diet and how much protein a person eats are not factors in the development of the disease. Also, there is no recognized link between amyloidosis and stress or occupation and, currently, no preventive measures are known to decrease risk.

The severity of amyloidosis depends on the organs affected. Heart and kidney involvement, for example, may lead to organ failure and death. Or, primary amyloidosis may produce symptoms such as carpal tunnel syndrome, gastrointestinal reflux and malabsorption.

Treatment and management of amyloidosis is an ongoing, typically lifelong process, often requiring medications and possibly a low-salt diet. Rarely does amyloidosis require a lengthy hospitalization.

Read more about amyloidosis at MayoClinic.com.