Overview Of Myeloma – Multiple
Myeloma – multiple is a blood cancer that starts in the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue found inside most bones. It helps make blood cells.
Plasma cells help your body fight infection by producing proteins called antibodies. With multiple myeloma, plasma cells grow out of control in the bone marrow and form tumors in the areas of solid bone. The growth of these bone tumors weakens the solid bones. It also makes it harder for the bone marrow to make healthy blood cells and platelets.
Commonly Associated With
Plasma cell dyscrasia; Plasma cell myeloma; Malignant plasmacytoma; Plasmacytoma of bone; Myeloma – multiple
Causes Of Myeloma – Multiple
The cause of myeloma – multiple is unknown. Past treatment with radiation therapy increases the risk for this type of cancer. Multiple myeloma mainly affects older adults.
Symptoms
Multiple myeloma most commonly causes:
- Low red blood cell count (anemia), which can lead to fatigue and shortness of breath
- Low white blood cell count, which makes you more likely to get infections
- Low platelet count, which can lead to abnormal bleeding
- As the cancer cells grow in the bone marrow, you may have bone pain, most often in the ribs or back.
The cancer cells can weaken bones. As a result:
You may develop broken bones (bone fractures) just from doing normal activities.
If cancer grows in the spine bones, it can press on the nerves. This can lead to numbness or weakness of the arms or legs.
Exams & Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms.
Blood tests can help diagnose this disease. These tests include:
- Albumin level
- Calcium level
- Total protein level
- Kidney function
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Immunofixation
- Quantitative nephelometry
- Serum protein electrophoresis
- Bone x-rays, CT scans, or MRI may show fractures or hollowed out areas of bone. If your provider suspects this type of cancer, a bone marrow biopsy will be performed.
Bone density testing may show bone loss.
If tests show that you have multiple myeloma, more tests will be done to see how far cancer has spread. This is called staging. Staging helps guide treatment and follow-up.
Treatment Of Myeloma – Multiple
People who have a mild disease or in whom the diagnosis is not certain are usually closely monitored. Some people have a form of multiple myeloma that grows slowly (smoldering myeloma), which takes years to cause symptoms.
Various types of medicines are used to treat multiple myeloma. They are most often given to prevent complications such as bone fractures and kidney damage.
Radiation therapy may be used to relieve bone pain or to shrink a tumor that is pushing on the spinal cord.
A bone marrow transplant may be recommended:
- An autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation is performed using a person’s own stem cells.
- An allogeneic transplant uses someone else’s stem cells. This treatment has serious risks, but may offer the chance of a cure.
You and your provider may need to manage other concerns during your treatment, including:
- Having chemotherapy at home
- Managing your pets
- Bleeding problems
- Dry mouth
- Eating enough calories
- Safe eating during cancer treatment
