Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Multiple myelomaandleukemiaare cancers that both start in blood cells, but they are two very different forms of cancer. Myelomais a cancer of the bone marrow, specifically the plasma cells. Leukemia also is a cancer of bone marrow and stems from one of the two main groups of young white blood cell types, lymphocytes or myelocytes precursors. There are different types of leukemia, depending on which cells are affected.Different cancers are treated in different ways, even those affecting the same elements within the body. It’s helpful to know the subtle distinctions so you can be prepared for what lies ahead. A diagnosis will ensure the proper treatment is given.This article will review the differences between multiple myeloma and leukemia.Morsa Images / Getty ImagesSymptomsWhile symptoms of multiple myeloma and leukemia do have some overlap, there are differences as well.Symptoms of Multiple MyelomaBone pain, weakness, or fracturesAnemia(lack of healthy red blood cells)Thrombocytopenia(low blood platelet count)Hypercalcemia(high calcium level in the blood)Nervous system symptoms or nerve damageInfectionsLeukopenia(decrease in disease-fighting leukocytes in the blood)FatigueWeight lossSymptoms of LeukemiaAnemiaEasy bruising and/or bleeding problemsInfectionsFeversNight sweatsFatigueWeight LossThrombocytopeniaCausesEven though there are many similarities between the blood cancers multiple myeloma and leukemia, the underlying causes are different.Multiple MyelomaIt is not known exactly what causes multiple myeloma. The symptoms develop because of the abnormal replication (copying and reproduction) of plasma cells in the bone marrow.Researchers hypothesize that multiple myeloma may be a combination of:Environmental factorsGenetic factorsExposure to dioxins (organic pollutants) has been associated with an increased risk of myeloma, as have abnormalities in chromosome 13.Before myeloma develops, there usually is an occurrence of a condition calledmonoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance(MGUS)—when an abnormal protein called monoclonal protein (M protein) is in the blood.It’s not known what causes MGUS.Causes and Risk Factors of Multiple MyelomaLeukemiaLike myeloma, the exact causes of leukemia are unknown.It’s believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors cause mutations in blood cells.Risk factors include the genetic conditionDown syndrome(trisomy 21), tobacco use, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and exposure to certain chemicals.Causes and Risk Factors of LeukemiaDiagnosisDiagnosing multiple myeloma and leukemia are very similar. There may be other tests that are done, depending on the results or the person’s symptoms, but the general diagnostic tests are similar. In addition to a physical exam, they can include:Blood workBiopsies (removing tissue to be analyzed in a lab)Imaging testsBlood work for multiple myeloma and leukemia can include acomplete blood count(CBC). If other tests are needed, your healthcare provider may order blood chemistry tests for levels of specific elements, particularly for multiple myeloma.Bone marrow biopsiesorlumbar punctures(spinal tap), which involves removing cerebrospinal fluid from the lower spine, may also be performed to diagnose either cancer and to reveal the following:In leukemia, a bone marrow biopsy can show the number of immature cells in the bone marrow and highlight other characteristics of leukemia cells for the healthcare provider.In multiple myeloma, a bone marrow biopsy can show too many plasma cells in the bone marrow.Imaging tests like X-rays, CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and PET (positron-emission tomography) scans can show any tumors or cancer in areas of the bones, brain, or spinal cord. These tests can provide more information about any symptoms the person might be having.TreatmentTreatment varies depending on the type of cancer and any subtype, so it’s especially important to get an accurate diagnosis. Treatments for cancer typically also depend on:Your ageYour general healthYour stageSeverity of the cancerMultiple MyelomaTreatments for multiple myeloma can include:Drug therapy, including:Chemotherapy: This is a treatment that uses powerful drugs to kill fast-growing cells in the body.Corticosteroids: These are used to reduce inflammation.Immunotherapy: This treatment uses a person’s own immune system to fight cancer.Proteasome inhibitors: These stop cells from breaking down proteins involved in controlling cell division.Monoclonal antibodies: These are human-made antibodies that can attack certain proteins on the surface of cancer cells.Monoclonal antibody and chemotherapy: Along with chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies can locate and attack specific proteins on cancer cells.Nuclear export inhibitor: These block proteins from being transferred and the cell dies.Bisphosphonates: These slow bone growth.Other treatments include:Radiation therapy(using high doses of radiation to kill and shrink cancer cells)Surgery (rarely used)Stem cell (bone marrow) transplantCAR T-cell therapy(chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy)Supportive treatment includes:Blood transfusionsDrugs that improve low red blood cell countPlasmapheresis to get rid of myeloma protein from the bloodLeukemiaTreatment options for leukemia can include one or more of these treatments:ChemotherapyTargeted therapyImmunotherapyRadiation therapyStem cell transplantsPreventionThere is no known way to prevent multiple myeloma or leukemia. Multiple myeloma is rarely associated with risk factors that can be avoided.There are general health-promoting behaviors you can take to reduce your risk of leukemia like quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding known exposures to chemicals, but there is no definitive way to prevent cancer.SummaryWhile multiple myeloma and leukemia are both blood cancers and have similarities in some diagnostic tests and treatment options, they are two distinct diseases and should be approached as such.They arise from different kinds of cells and can have different effects on the body. An appropriate diagnosis is necessary for the proper treatment.A Word From VerywellGetting a cancer diagnosis is extremely difficult, but it can help to know how your type of cancer may affect you. Even those diseases that are similar in how they impact the body may have many distinctions.If you have any questions, talk to members of your treatment team. They are there to help.
Multiple myelomaandleukemiaare cancers that both start in blood cells, but they are two very different forms of cancer. Myelomais a cancer of the bone marrow, specifically the plasma cells. Leukemia also is a cancer of bone marrow and stems from one of the two main groups of young white blood cell types, lymphocytes or myelocytes precursors. There are different types of leukemia, depending on which cells are affected.
Different cancers are treated in different ways, even those affecting the same elements within the body. It’s helpful to know the subtle distinctions so you can be prepared for what lies ahead. A diagnosis will ensure the proper treatment is given.
This article will review the differences between multiple myeloma and leukemia.
Morsa Images / Getty Images
While symptoms of multiple myeloma and leukemia do have some overlap, there are differences as well.
Symptoms of Multiple MyelomaBone pain, weakness, or fracturesAnemia(lack of healthy red blood cells)Thrombocytopenia(low blood platelet count)Hypercalcemia(high calcium level in the blood)Nervous system symptoms or nerve damageInfectionsLeukopenia(decrease in disease-fighting leukocytes in the blood)FatigueWeight lossSymptoms of LeukemiaAnemiaEasy bruising and/or bleeding problemsInfectionsFeversNight sweatsFatigueWeight LossThrombocytopenia
Symptoms of Multiple MyelomaBone pain, weakness, or fracturesAnemia(lack of healthy red blood cells)Thrombocytopenia(low blood platelet count)Hypercalcemia(high calcium level in the blood)Nervous system symptoms or nerve damageInfectionsLeukopenia(decrease in disease-fighting leukocytes in the blood)FatigueWeight loss
Bone pain, weakness, or fractures
Anemia(lack of healthy red blood cells)
Thrombocytopenia(low blood platelet count)
Hypercalcemia(high calcium level in the blood)
Nervous system symptoms or nerve damage
Infections
Leukopenia(decrease in disease-fighting leukocytes in the blood)
Fatigue
Weight loss
Symptoms of LeukemiaAnemiaEasy bruising and/or bleeding problemsInfectionsFeversNight sweatsFatigueWeight LossThrombocytopenia
Anemia
Easy bruising and/or bleeding problems
Fevers
Night sweats
Weight Loss
Thrombocytopenia
Even though there are many similarities between the blood cancers multiple myeloma and leukemia, the underlying causes are different.
Multiple Myeloma
It is not known exactly what causes multiple myeloma. The symptoms develop because of the abnormal replication (copying and reproduction) of plasma cells in the bone marrow.
Researchers hypothesize that multiple myeloma may be a combination of:
Exposure to dioxins (organic pollutants) has been associated with an increased risk of myeloma, as have abnormalities in chromosome 13.
Before myeloma develops, there usually is an occurrence of a condition calledmonoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance(MGUS)—when an abnormal protein called monoclonal protein (M protein) is in the blood.It’s not known what causes MGUS.
Causes and Risk Factors of Multiple Myeloma
Leukemia
Like myeloma, the exact causes of leukemia are unknown.
It’s believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors cause mutations in blood cells.Risk factors include the genetic conditionDown syndrome(trisomy 21), tobacco use, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and exposure to certain chemicals.
Causes and Risk Factors of Leukemia
Diagnosing multiple myeloma and leukemia are very similar. There may be other tests that are done, depending on the results or the person’s symptoms, but the general diagnostic tests are similar. In addition to a physical exam, they can include:
Blood work for multiple myeloma and leukemia can include acomplete blood count(CBC). If other tests are needed, your healthcare provider may order blood chemistry tests for levels of specific elements, particularly for multiple myeloma.
Bone marrow biopsiesorlumbar punctures(spinal tap), which involves removing cerebrospinal fluid from the lower spine, may also be performed to diagnose either cancer and to reveal the following:
Imaging tests like X-rays, CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and PET (positron-emission tomography) scans can show any tumors or cancer in areas of the bones, brain, or spinal cord. These tests can provide more information about any symptoms the person might be having.
Treatment varies depending on the type of cancer and any subtype, so it’s especially important to get an accurate diagnosis. Treatments for cancer typically also depend on:
Treatments for multiple myeloma can include:
Drug therapy, including:
Other treatments include:
Supportive treatment includes:
Treatment options for leukemia can include one or more of these treatments:
There is no known way to prevent multiple myeloma or leukemia. Multiple myeloma is rarely associated with risk factors that can be avoided.
There are general health-promoting behaviors you can take to reduce your risk of leukemia like quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding known exposures to chemicals, but there is no definitive way to prevent cancer.
Summary
While multiple myeloma and leukemia are both blood cancers and have similarities in some diagnostic tests and treatment options, they are two distinct diseases and should be approached as such.
They arise from different kinds of cells and can have different effects on the body. An appropriate diagnosis is necessary for the proper treatment.
A Word From Verywell
Getting a cancer diagnosis is extremely difficult, but it can help to know how your type of cancer may affect you. Even those diseases that are similar in how they impact the body may have many distinctions.If you have any questions, talk to members of your treatment team. They are there to help.
10 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.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Multiple myeloma.
Nanwani P, Sharma N, Shakya S, et al.Study of etiological causes of acute leukemia.Indian Journal of Basic and Applied Medical Research. 2021;10(4):141-146. doi:10.36848/IJBAMR/2020/29215.55670
Moffitt Cancer Center.Leukemia causes and risk factors.
American Cancer Society.Tests to find multiple myeloma.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.Leukemia diagnosis.
American Cancer Society.Drug therapy for multiple myeloma.
American Cancer Society.Supportive treatments for patients with multiple myeloma.
MD Anderson Cancer Center.Leukemia treatment.
American Cancer Society.Can multiple myeloma be prevented?
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