from HemOnc Today, clinical news from the oncology/hematology web site:

"The researchers confirmed a significant association in 14 of the 75 previously reported disease associations. Five of the 14 diseases were known to evolve from MGUS — multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, lymphoproliferative disorders, macroglobulinemia and other plasma cell proliferative disorders, according to the researchers. Important associations included hip and vertebral fractures, osteoporosis and hypercalcemia; these disorders were significantly increased with MGUS, even without multiple myeloma.

"Associations between MGUS and chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (RR=5.9; 95% CI, 1.2-28.4) and autonomic neuropathy were also confirmed."

-- monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) --

from the Mayo Clinic:

"A monoclonal gammopathy indicates the presence of abnormal levels of a protein in the blood. The protein is produced by a group of cells in the bone marrow called plasma cells. Plasma cells are normally found in the bone marrow and represent approximately 1 percent of all marrow cells. They produce the antibodies that help the body fight infection. Abnormal proteins circulating in the blood are not rare. Monoclonal gammopathy can occur in both sexes and in people of all backgrounds and occupations. In about 80 percent of cases, the abnormal protein does not cause any problems. However, over time, 20 percent of people will experience an increase in the amount of abnormal protein in their blood, which may develop into a more serious condition, including some forms of cancer."

So folks with CIDP are more likely to have this abnormal protein. And it is something that could possibly develop into some cancers. If people with breast, ovarian or lung cancers are more likely to develop CIDP, which comes first? The chicken? Or the egg? -- The cancer? The CIDP? The abnormal protein?