What you need to know about Multiple Myeloma

Overview

Multiple myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow.

Symptoms

• Bleeding problems

• Bone or back pain

• Increased susceptibility to infection

• Symptoms of anemia (such as tiredness, shortness of breath, and fatigue)

• Unexplained fractures

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms.

People who have mild disease or a questionable diagnosis are usually carefully monitored without treatment. Some people have a slow-developing form of multiple myeloma that takes years to cause symptoms.

Treatment begins when the disease becomes worse or causes symptoms.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be performed to relieve bone pain or treat a bone tumor.
Bone marrow transplantation in younger patients has been shown to increase disease-free and overall survival, but it has significant risks.

Medications for multiple myeloma include decadron, melophalan, thalidomide, lenalidomide (Revlimid), and bortezomib (Velcade). Bisphosphonates are used to prevent fractures.
People with multiple myeloma should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and help maintain proper kidney function. They should also be cautious when having x-ray tests that use contrast dye.

Chemotherapy and transplants rarely lead to a permanent cure.

Causes

Plasma cells help the body's immune system fight disease by producing substances called antibodies. In multiple myeloma, plasma cells grow out of control and form tumors in the bone marrow.

The excess growth of plasma cells interferes with the body's ability to make red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This causes anemia, which makes a person more likely to get infections and have abnormal bleeding.

As the cancer cells grow in the bone marrow, they can cause pain and destruction of the bones. If the bones in the spine are affected, it can put pressure on the nerves, resulting in numbness or paralysis.

Multiple myeloma mainly affects older adults. A history of radiation therapy raises your risk for this type of cancer.

Tests & diagnosis

Blood tests can help diagnose this disease. They may include:

• Blood chemistry (CHEM 20) may show increased levels of calcium, total protein, and abnormal kidney function

• Complete blood count (CBC) reveals low numbers of red and white blood cells and platelets

• Serum protein electropheresis (SPEP)

• Urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP) or Bence-Jones protein analysis

• Quantitative immunoglobulins (nephelometry)

Bone x-rays show fractures or hollowed out areas of bone. If your doctor suspects this type of cancer, a bone marrow biopsy will be performed.

Prognosis

Survival of people with multiple myeloma depends on the patient's age and the stage of disease. Some cases are very aggressive, while others take years to get worse.

Complications

Kidney failure is a frequent complication. Other complications may include:

• Bone fractures

• Increased chances for infection (especially pneumonia)

• Paralysis from tumor or spinal cord compression

When to contact a doctor

Call your health care provider if you experience decreased urine output.
Call your provider if you have multiple myeloma and infection develops, or numbness, loss of movement, or loss of sensation develops.

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Source: https://health.google.com/health/ref/Multiple+myeloma

For further information about the disease please visit:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/multiplemyeloma.html

You can download the patient handbook in pdf.

Excerpt from National Cancer Institute
Click here for further reading.

What is Multiple Myeloma?
Normal Blood Cells
Myeloma Cells

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer. Cancer is a group of many related diseases. Myeloma is a cancer that starts in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. It's the most common type of plasma cell cancer.

Normal Blood Cells

Most blood cells develop from cells in the bone marrow called stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft material in the center of most bones.

Stem cells mature into different types of blood cells. Each type has a special job:

• White blood cells help fight infection. There are several types of white blood cells.

• Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body.

• Platelets help form blood clots that control bleeding.

Plasma cells are white blood cells that make antibodies. Antibodies are part of the immune system. They work with other parts of the immune system to help protect the body from germs and other harmful substances. Each type of plasma cell makes a different antibody.


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Source:http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/myeloma/page2