Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesGeneticsLifestyle Risk FactorsOther Risk FactorsFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Multiple Myeloma GuideWhat Is Multiple Myeloma?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Genetics
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Other Risk Factors
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Multiple Myeloma Guide
Multiple myelomastarts with the abnormal growth of a plasma cell in the bone marrow. Next, the abnormal cell begins to multiply rapidly in the bone marrow.But scientists don’t know exactly what causes the plasma cells to begin this abnormal growth pattern.
The exact causes ofmultiple myelomahave not been established. But scientists hypothesize that genetics, environmental factors, and family history might contribute to a higher risk of developing multiple myeloma.
Genetic Abnormalities
These are changes or mistakes in the DNA. The DNA contains the code of instructions that tell each cell how to perform, grow, divide, and when to stop multiplying. These mistakes are called “mutations” and they may cause plasma cells to become cancerous. The DNA is packaged into chromosomes in the cells.
According to theAmerican Cancer Society, “Myeloma cells also show abnormalities in their chromosomes…In about half of all people with myeloma, part of one chromosome has switched with part of another chromosome in the myeloma cells.” When this occurs in an area next to a gene that is responsible for how the plasma cell grows and divides, it can result in cancerous plasma cells.
Bone Marrow Abnormalities
Some of the bone marrow abnormalities involve dendritic cells—they may cause plasma cells to grow and develop abnormally, which may contribute to plasma cell tumors.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors, such as exposure to certain chemicals or radiation, have been implicated as a contributing factor in the cause of multiple myeloma.
It’s important to note that most people who are diagnosed with multiple myeloma and who are screened for risk factors end up having no known risk factors other than age.
He went on to say that “Chromosome 13 deletion and hypodiploidy [having slightly less than the normal number of chromosomes] is associated with poor prognosis, but too many institutes are failing to do these studies which can predict outcome and help customize treatment.”
Approximately 42 percent of the people diagnosed with multiple myeloma have a deletion of chromosome 13.
Although it is not clearly understood why the chromosome deletion occurs in those with myeloma, these patients are known to have a marked reduction in survival rates. They also have a higher incidence of resistance to traditional myeloma treatment regimes.
A risk factor is something that can increase the chance of someone getting a disease, such as cancer. Each type of cancer has its own risk factors. For example, smoking causes an increased risk of getting lung cancer, and prolonged exposure to the sun proposes an increased risk of skin cancer.
However, risk factors do not necessarily indicate that a person will get a specific type of cancer. People with no risk factors at all often get a disease, including cancer. Those having one (or even several) risk factors may never get a disease. Generally, there are two types of risk factors, including non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors.
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
Non-modifiable risk factors are those that cannot be changed. For multiple myeloma, these include a number of factors.
However, the ASCO also stated that “Mutations or changes in plasma cells are acquired, not inherited, so having a relative with the disease usually does not mean another family member is at higher risk for developing it.”
Modifiable Risk Factors
Modifiable risk factors are those that can be changed. These usually include lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise. For multiple myeloma, however, the primary modifiable risk factors involve exposure to environmental substances (usually related to a person’s occupation).
Exposure to Chemicals or Radiation
Exposure to chemicals such asthose in asbestos and pesticides, as well as exposure to benzene—a substance present in rubber manufacturing—may pose an increased risk of developing myeloma. Exposure to certain types of plastics, heavy metal dust, hair dyes, herbicides (including Agent Orange), and pesticides may also increase the risk of getting myeloma.
Radiation exposure has been found to have a very strong link to myeloma as well. For example, those who were exposed to radiation from the atom bomb, during World War II (in Nagasaki and Hiroshima) were found to have a significantly higher incidence of multiple myeloma compared to the general population.
Occupational Exposure
This is linked to the exposure to specific chemicals and includes people working in the leather, cosmetology, rubber, and petroleum fields. Other occupational types of exposure that may increase the risk of myeloma include working with wood products (those who make furniture, paper makers, or carpenters). Farmers and professional firefighters are also thought to have an increased risk of getting myeloma.
Obesity or Being Overweight
Obesity or being overweight is also linked with a higher risk of most types of cancer—this includes multiple myeloma. Both obesity and being overweight are considered modifiable risk factors for multiple myeloma that directly pertain to a person’s lifestyle.
Personal Health History
Those who have had prior plasma cell conditions (such as plasmacytoma of the bone or monoclonal gammopathy) are at greater risk of developing myeloma than those who have not had these conditions.
Monoclonal Gammopathy (MGUS)
Just about every case of myeloma begins as whatMayo Clinicdescribes as “a relatively benign condition called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).” Mayo Clinic goes on to explain that “In the United States, about 3 percent of people older than age 50 have MGUS. Each year, about 1 percent of people with MGUS develop multiple myeloma, or a related cancer.”
The cause of MGUS is unknown. It is a condition that involves the presence of M protein, like myeloma, but the level of M protein is lower in MGUS. Also, there is not any damage to the body in MGUS (such as organ or bone damage).
A Word From Verywell
We realize that for those who arediagnosed with multiple myeloma, not knowing the exact cause of an illness—particularly one that is as severe as myeloma—can be very frustrating. Although experts are unsure of the exact cause of cancer, medical research continues to reveal new and more effective treatment modalities that are aimed at improving thesurvival rates. As the incidence of myeloma continues to rise, so do the efforts to find a cure. More efforts are aimed at slowing down the progression of the disease, which would give patients more years ofsymptom-free life.
Some patients with multiple myeloma won’t have any symptoms. Whensigns and symptomsdo occur, they may include:Bone pain or fracturesAnemiaIncreased infectionsAbnormal bleedingIncreased calcium in the blood, orhypercalcemiaSpinal cord compressionNerve damage, orperipheral neuropathyKidney damage
Some patients with multiple myeloma won’t have any symptoms. Whensigns and symptomsdo occur, they may include:
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Michels TC, Petersen KE.Multiple myeloma: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(6):373-383.Leone P, Berardi S, Frassanito MA, et al.Dendritic cells accumulate in the bone marrow of myeloma patients where they protect tumor plasma cells from CD8+ T-cell killing.Blood. 2015;126(12):1443-51. doi:10.1182/blood-2015-01-623975Gold LS, Stewart PA, Milliken K, et al.The relationship between multiple myeloma and occupational exposure to six chlorinated solvents.Occup Environ Med. 2011;68(6):391-9. doi:10.1136/oem.2009.054809American Cancer Society.Risk factors for multiple myeloma.Hsu WL, Preston DL, Soda M, et al.The incidence of leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma among atomic bomb survivors: 1950-2001.Radiat Res. 2013;179(3):361-82. doi:10.1667/RR2892.1American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Risk factors for multiple myeloma.Additional ReadingDoctor Approved Information from ASCO staff. (2018)Multiple Myeloma: Risk Factors and Prevention.Cancer.net.Mayo Clinic.Cancer.Mayo Clinic staff.Multiple myeloma.The American Cancer Society.What causes multiple myeloma?Tricot, G. The Journal of Oncology.Chromosomal abnormalities predict poor outcome in multiple myeloma. (2002)Cancer Network.com.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Michels TC, Petersen KE.Multiple myeloma: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(6):373-383.Leone P, Berardi S, Frassanito MA, et al.Dendritic cells accumulate in the bone marrow of myeloma patients where they protect tumor plasma cells from CD8+ T-cell killing.Blood. 2015;126(12):1443-51. doi:10.1182/blood-2015-01-623975Gold LS, Stewart PA, Milliken K, et al.The relationship between multiple myeloma and occupational exposure to six chlorinated solvents.Occup Environ Med. 2011;68(6):391-9. doi:10.1136/oem.2009.054809American Cancer Society.Risk factors for multiple myeloma.Hsu WL, Preston DL, Soda M, et al.The incidence of leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma among atomic bomb survivors: 1950-2001.Radiat Res. 2013;179(3):361-82. doi:10.1667/RR2892.1American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Risk factors for multiple myeloma.Additional ReadingDoctor Approved Information from ASCO staff. (2018)Multiple Myeloma: Risk Factors and Prevention.Cancer.net.Mayo Clinic.Cancer.Mayo Clinic staff.Multiple myeloma.The American Cancer Society.What causes multiple myeloma?Tricot, G. The Journal of Oncology.Chromosomal abnormalities predict poor outcome in multiple myeloma. (2002)Cancer Network.com.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Michels TC, Petersen KE.Multiple myeloma: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(6):373-383.Leone P, Berardi S, Frassanito MA, et al.Dendritic cells accumulate in the bone marrow of myeloma patients where they protect tumor plasma cells from CD8+ T-cell killing.Blood. 2015;126(12):1443-51. doi:10.1182/blood-2015-01-623975Gold LS, Stewart PA, Milliken K, et al.The relationship between multiple myeloma and occupational exposure to six chlorinated solvents.Occup Environ Med. 2011;68(6):391-9. doi:10.1136/oem.2009.054809American Cancer Society.Risk factors for multiple myeloma.Hsu WL, Preston DL, Soda M, et al.The incidence of leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma among atomic bomb survivors: 1950-2001.Radiat Res. 2013;179(3):361-82. doi:10.1667/RR2892.1American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Risk factors for multiple myeloma.
Michels TC, Petersen KE.Multiple myeloma: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(6):373-383.
Leone P, Berardi S, Frassanito MA, et al.Dendritic cells accumulate in the bone marrow of myeloma patients where they protect tumor plasma cells from CD8+ T-cell killing.Blood. 2015;126(12):1443-51. doi:10.1182/blood-2015-01-623975
Gold LS, Stewart PA, Milliken K, et al.The relationship between multiple myeloma and occupational exposure to six chlorinated solvents.Occup Environ Med. 2011;68(6):391-9. doi:10.1136/oem.2009.054809
American Cancer Society.Risk factors for multiple myeloma.
Hsu WL, Preston DL, Soda M, et al.The incidence of leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma among atomic bomb survivors: 1950-2001.Radiat Res. 2013;179(3):361-82. doi:10.1667/RR2892.1
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma.
American Society of Clinical Oncology.Risk factors for multiple myeloma.
Doctor Approved Information from ASCO staff. (2018)Multiple Myeloma: Risk Factors and Prevention.Cancer.net.Mayo Clinic.Cancer.Mayo Clinic staff.Multiple myeloma.The American Cancer Society.What causes multiple myeloma?Tricot, G. The Journal of Oncology.Chromosomal abnormalities predict poor outcome in multiple myeloma. (2002)Cancer Network.com.
Doctor Approved Information from ASCO staff. (2018)Multiple Myeloma: Risk Factors and Prevention.Cancer.net.
Mayo Clinic.Cancer.
Mayo Clinic staff.Multiple myeloma.
The American Cancer Society.What causes multiple myeloma?
Tricot, G. The Journal of Oncology.Chromosomal abnormalities predict poor outcome in multiple myeloma. (2002)Cancer Network.com.
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