Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that is related to lymphoma and leukemia. It has no cure, but there are treatments that can slow it down.
During multiple myeloma, a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell starts to multiply unusually. Generally, it makes antibodies to fight off infections. But in the case of multiple myeloma, it releases too much protein called immunoglobulin into your bones and blood. The protein builds up everywhere in your body and causes organ damage.
The plasma cells even crowd normal blood cells in your bones by releasing chemicals that trigger other cells to dissolve bones. This process creates weak areas of bone called lytic lesions.
As multiple myeloma progresses, a person’s conditions become worse, the plasma cells begin to spill out of the bone marrow and spread throughout the body, causing severe organ damage.
Causes
The exact cause is still unidentified, but it is more common in:
- People who are older than 65
- People of African-American descent
- If a family member is suffering from multiple myeloma
If you are suffering from one of the below mentioned plasma cell diseases, you are more likely to suffer from multiple myeloma:
- Solitary plasmacytoma
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
Symptoms
In its initial phases, multiple myeloma may not cause any symptoms or indications. Though as time progresses, you may feel:
- Weakness and fatigue
- Bone pain
- Weight loss
Diagnosis
You should get a diagnosis for multiple myeloma, if the blood test shows you have:
- Too few red blood cells or anemia
- Hypercalcemia or too much calcium in your blood
- High protein levels in your blood, along with a low albumin level or globulin gap
- Any kidney problems
Doctors will conduct the following test if they think you have multiple myeloma:
- A complete blood count or CBC to measure the various kinds of cells in your blood
- Blood urea nitrogen test (BUN) and creatinine test. They check the condition of your kidneys.
- You will also be tested with other specialized urine and blood tests to check for how much and what abnormal kinds of proteins are generated in your body.
Once the test results come in, your doctor would want to do a bone marrow biopsy. A needle is inserted into a bone in your hip to get a sample of bone marrow. This helps them check the number of plasma cells in it.
Next would be X-rays to show spots of bone that have been weakened by multiple myeloma. Sometimes you might also need an MRI, CT scan, or PET scan.
Multiple myeloma cases are typically graded into high, intermediate, or standard risk.
If you show symptoms, the doctor will come up with a treatment plan and will aim to improve your quality of life, usually by easing your symptoms and by changing your diet plan to include good nutrition.
People with high-risk typically go into a clinical trial for either an existing or new treatment. Research is still ongoing into multiple myeloma and clinical trials are finding more effective drugs and combinations.
