Light chain cast nephropathy  is a disease of the kidney that is mainly caused by multiple myeloma hence the name myeloma kidney that can present with amyloid cast or the crystal casts.

What is the Pathology of Light Chain Cast Nephropathy?

The pathology of light chain cast nephropathy is:

-Etiology: The cause of light chain cast nephropathy is underlying multiple myeloma, decreased urine flow rate, protein complexes formation.

-Genes involved: Unknown. 

-Pathogenesis: The sequence of events that lead to light chain cast nephropathy are precipitated by the presence of multiple myeloma in the patient, this disease causes production of the proteinaceous casts in the kidney tubules and the collecting ducts hence causing nephropathy.

-Morphology: The morphology associated with light chain cast nephropathy shows fractured casts in the lumen of the distal tubule.

-Histology: The histology associated with light chain cast nephropathy shows irregular or rectangular light chain casts, plasma cells in the bone marrow evidence of myeloma, eosinophilic, dense, homogenous casts. 

How does Light Chain Cast Nephropathy Present? 

Patients with light chain cast nephropathy typically are female present at the age range of 58 years. The symptoms, features, and clinical findings associated with light chain cast nephropathy include weight loss, constipation, anemia, fatigue, 

How is Light Chain Cast Nephropathy Diagnosed? 

Light chain cast nephropathy is diagnosed in blood samples for elevated serum levels, kidney biopsy, urinalysis, myelogram, peripheral smear, complete blood count and serum calcium.

How is Light Chain Cast Nephropathy Treated? 

Light chain cast nephropathy is treated by lowering the light chains and chemotherapy agents but this process is still new, plasmapheresis,

What is the Prognosis of Light Chain Cast Nephropathy?

The prognosis of light chain cast nephropathy is poor since its association with multiple myeloma leads to reduced survival chances.