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Bringing together expert physicians from multiple specialties, the Amyloidosis Clinic at Penn Medicine is leading the way in the evaluation and management of patients with systemic amyloidosis. This Focus On Cancer post, with thanks to clinic director Brendan M. Weiss, MD, highlights the causes, diagnosis and treatment of amyloidosis.

What is Amyloidosis?

Amyloidosis is a rare and potentially life threatening disease that occurs when toxic proteins build up in your organs. There are different types of amyloidosis that can affect different organs, most commonly the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.

Causes of Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is caused by one of over 20 toxic proteins that are produced by different sources in the body. Careful diagnosis to determine the correct protein source is necessary to decide on the correct treatment. The most common source of the toxic proteins are bone marrow plasma cells, a type of immune cell.

Amyloidosis Diagnosis, Treatment and Clinical Trials

As amyloidosis is both rare and complex, seeking a proper diagnosis is important, and may require seeing multiple specialists. After receiving a diagnosis, treatment options for Amyloidosis need to be personalized.

In addition, new approaches and new treatments are always emerging and our team at Penn Medicine has access to these options and the experiences in helping patients choose the most appropriate options.

The Amyloidosis Clinic at Penn Medicine

Growing awareness and the latest research have led to new treatment approaches which require a multidisciplinary team. The Amyloidosis Clinic at Penn Medicine brings together expert physicians from multiple specialties.

Amyloidosis treatment Penn Medicine draws on the personnel and resources of all relevant specialties including:

• Cardiology: Heart failure management, echocardiography, endomyocardial biopsy, arrhythmia management, cardiac transplantation
• Nephrology: Nephrotic syndrome management, renal biopsy, renal transplantation
• Hematology-Oncology: Chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation
• Neurology: Peripheral neuropathy evaluation and management

Additional specialists in pulmonology, rheumatology and organ transplantation are also available for
consultation. Whenever possible, initial meetings with the appropriate specialists are performed on the same day in Philadelphia.

For consultations, scheduling and more information on Amyloidosis, please contact the clinic by email, or call 800-789-PENN (7366).

The Amyloidosis Clinic at Penn Medicine is located in Philadelphia, at the Ruth and Raymond Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine and the Heart and Vascular Pavilion at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Ongoing consultations and care can be arranged at Penn Medicine at Cherry Hill and Valley Forge as well.

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