MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hereditary amyloidosis

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Hereditary amyloidosis

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Illustrations Alternative names	Definition

Illustrations

Amyloidosis on the fingers

Alternative names Return to top

Amyloidosis - hereditary

Definition Return to top

Amyloidosis is a type of disease in which an abnormal protein deposits in various tissues. These protein deposits damage the tissues and interfere with the function of the involved organ. The abnormal protein deposits are called amyloid, hence the name of this group of diseases.

Amyloidosis occurs in multiple forms: spontaneous, hereditary, and resulting from a cancer of the blood cells called myeloma. Hereditary amyloidosis is an inherited form that is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait.

Update Date: 1/30/2004

Updated by: Douglas R. Stewart, M.D., Division of Medical Genetics, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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