Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Amiloidosis
Amyloidosis (am-a-loy-DOE-sis)
A group of diseases in which protein is deposited in specific organs (localized amyloidosis) or throughout the body (systemic amyloidosis). Amyloidosis may be either primary (with no known cause) or secondary (caused by another disease, including some types of cancer). Generally, primary amyloidosis affects the nerves, skin, tongue, joints, heart, and liver; secondary amyloidosis often affects the spleen, kidneys, liver, and adrenal glands.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.