Cryogolbulins are common in plasma cell myelomas, but are also found in association with other neoplasms (lymphosarcoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and carcinomatosis), in infectious diseases (hepatitis C, kala-azar, Sjogren's syndrome, subacute bacterial endocarditis, and malarias), in various systemic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, periarteritis nodosa, and disseminated lupus erythematosus), and in miscellaneous disorders (myeloproliferative disorders and portal cirrhosis). An “essential" form of cryoglobulinemia has been described which does not appear to be associated with a specific disease state.
Clinically, cryoglobulinemia may present with features of Raynaud's syndrome – intolerance to cold, purpura, gangrene of the extremities, and skin sores. Death may result from blockage of key blood vessels in such vital organs as the kidneys, brain, and lungs. The specific symptoms depend on the amount present and the degree of anti-inflammatory response of the body.