Myeloma : Bone Marrow

Comments:
The bone marrow aspirate smears show increased number of plasma cells (20% to 35%) in most cases of myeloma. Some aspirates are composed almost entirely of plasma cells (as shown here). The morphology of plasma cells ranges from mature normal-appearing cells to highly atypical plasmablasts with dispersed chromatin and a single prominent nucleolus. The morphologic appearance forms the basis of classification of myelomas into mature (shown in this image), intermediate, immature, and plasmablastic. Plasmablastic myelomas are highly aggressive tumors with a median survival of less than a year. Wright-Giemsa Stain. 40X. Image courtesy of: Jian-Hua Qiao, MD, FCAP, Los Angeles, CA, USA.