Which condition is typically signified by an increase in plasma cells in the bone marrow?

An increase in plasma cells in the bone marrow is a hallmark characteristic of multiple myeloma. Plasma cells are responsible for producing antibodies, and their proliferation indicates a pathological condition affecting the bone marrow. In multiple myeloma, there is an abnormal accumulation of these plasma cells, leading to various complications, including bone lesions, anemia, and an increased risk of infections due to the production of non-functional antibodies.

The presence of this condition can be confirmed through laboratory findings that show a high percentage of plasma cells in the bone marrow, as well as increased levels of monoclonal proteins (M-proteins) in the blood and urine. Therefore, the significant increase in plasma cells in the context of bone marrow pathology is definitively linked to multiple myeloma, making it the correct answer.