Multiple Myeloma

What is Multiple Myeloma?

Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow.  Plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs. When healthy plasma cells in the bone marrow change and grow out of control, they are known as malignant plasma cells, or myeloma cells.

• Myeloma cells produce large amounts of one type of antibody, which is known as the monoclonal protein or M-protein.
• Almost all patients with multiple myeloma evolve from an asymptomatic condition called monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS). However, since MGUS does not cause any symptoms (asymptomatic), the only way to detect it is a blood test.
• As the number of myeloma cells grows, they begin to overcrowd the bone marrow and prevent normal production of the other blood cell types (red blood cells, platelets, and other white blood cells) in the bone marrow.

Myeloma often damages the bone and is usually called multiple myeloma because most people have multiple bone lesions, meaning areas of damaged tissue, at the time it is diagnosed.

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Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma:

Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma can vary and, early in the disease, there may be none. When signs and symptoms do occur, they can include:

• Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Mental fogginess or confusion
• Fatigue
• Frequent infections
• Weight loss
• Weakness or numbness in your legs
• Excessive thirst

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