[Systemic amyloidoses--new treatment methods make early and exact diagnosis more and more important].

[Systemic amyloidoses--new treatment methods make early and exact diagnosis more and more important] The systemic amyloidoses comprise a biochemically heterogeneous group of often lethal disorders. Although the deposited amyloid fibril is morphologically similar, the mechanisms by which the amyloid develops differ between the biochemical types. Since modern therapy is directed against the amyloid protein production, the treatment differs fundamentally between the biochemically divergent forms. It is not only crucial to obtain a correct amyloid diagnosis but also necessary to determine the biochemical form, which should be performed directly on a tissue specimen with amyloid deposits and not only be based on clinical data. The amyloid diagnostic work is not simple and should be concentrated to a few diagnostic centers.