Serum Protein Electrophoresis
Also written as SPEP.
| Primary bone lymphoma | Localised bone pain, B symptoms | Biopsy shows lymphoid cells; PET‑CT avid; serum protein electrophoresis usually normal. |
What our notes say
- | Primary bone lymphoma | Localised bone pain, B symptoms | Biopsy shows lymphoid cells; PET‑CT avid; serum protein electrophoresis usually normal. | (Multiple myeloma)
- | Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) + immunofixation | Presence and type of monoclonal (M) protein | Sharp M‑spike; immunofixation identifies IgG, IgA or light‑chain only. | (Multiple myeloma)
- Albumin-corrected (or ionised) calcium; phosphate; parathyroid hormone (PTH); alkaline phosphatase, vitamin D, renal function and, in an older man with back pain, serum protein electrophoresis and a skeletal survey to look for myeloma or bone metastases. (Chemical Pathology Practice Examination)
- Serum protein electrophoresis — monoclonal spike (M-spike/paraprotein) (★) (Acute Leukaemia (AML/ALL) & WBC Disorders: Hematology Guide)
- Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP) - detects M-spike (monoclonal protein band) (Chemical Pathology Sem 1)
- 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (Accept: alkaline phosphatase, serum protein electrophoresis, urea and creatinine) (Chemical Pathology Practice Examination)
Study material on Serum Protein Electrophoresis
- Multiple myeloma
- Chemical Pathology MCQs: Clinical Chemistry, Endocrine & Renal
- Chemical Pathology MCQs
Practice questions on Serum Protein Electrophoresis
A 55-year-old man presents with visual disturbances, fatigue and epistaxis. Serum protein electrophoresis shows a monoclonal IgM spike. Bone marrow biopsy reveals lymphoplasmacytoid infiltration. What gene mutation is present in >90% of cases?
- BRAF
- TP53
- MYD88
- MYC
Answer: C. This is Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia (LPL). MYD88 mutation is present in >90% and is near-diagnostic.