Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMultiple Myeloma SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCopingNext in Multiple Myeloma GuideSymptoms of Multiple Myeloma
Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
Multiple Myeloma Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Next in Multiple Myeloma Guide
Multiple myeloma (also referred to as myeloma) is a type of rare, incurable cancer of the blood—also known as hematologic cancer. It affects cells called plasma cells, which are types of white blood cells. Normal plasma cells function to make antibodies, helping the body to fight infection. Myeloma involves malignant plasma cells that build up in the bone marrow or the soft tissue in the center of bones.
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
Background
Although multiple myeloma has been said to have been around since ancient times, the very first authenticated case was documented in 1844. The case was that of Thomas Alexander McBean in London. In 1889, the disease became more recognized after a famous case was reported of a subject who survived for 8 years without any type of chemotherapy treatment.
As time progressed, new drug therapies (as well as stem-cell transplant treatment) evolved for the treatment of myeloma. Although the disease is not considered curable, it has evolved into a disease that is considered highly manageable, having had rapid medical advancement—particularly over the past decade.
In fact, the advancement of new therapies has resulted in as many as 10 new drugs that have been approved in the time it usually takes to get medical clearance for a single drug approval, according to theMultiple Myeloma Research Foundation(MMRF).
Statistics in the United States
Multiple myeloma accounts for just over 10% of all blood cancers.In the United States, over 32,000 people were diagnosed with this disease in 2019. It is believed that approximately 100,000 Americans currently have the disease.In addition, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that 1.8% of all new cancer cases in the United States involve myeloma.
The NCI claims that 52.2% of those diagnosed with myeloma in the United States survived 5 years or more after diagnosis, while 0.8% of men and women in the United States will be diagnosed with myeloma in their lifetime.
Global Statistics
Overview
Bone Marrow
Bone marrow is a spongy, soft tissue with the consistency of gelatin, found in the center of the bones. There are two types of bone marrow: red and yellow.
Red bone marrow is found primarily in the flat bones such as the hip, ribs, pelvic bones, spine, and shoulder bone—these are the areas that multiple myeloma most often affects.
Bone marrow’s primary function is to produce new blood cells. In fact, it is known to produce as many as 200 billion red blood cells every day. Bone marrow produces white blood cells and platelets, which are cells that are needed for normal blood clotting.
Plasma Cells
The accumulation of myeloma cells can cause localized tumors in the bones, called plasmacytomas. By contrast, in multiple myeloma, the accumulation of plasma cells involves the bone marrow of multiple bones and can negatively impact other healthy immune cells as it interferes with their ability to adequately fight infection. In turn, this can lead to a shortage of red blood cells (anemia) as well as a shortage of healthy white blood cells (leukopenia).
Antibodies
The formation of cancerous cells in the marrow in multiple myeloma may reduce the number of normal producing plasma cells, and in turn, expose the body to infections.
Antigens
An antigen is a molecule that may induce a response from the immune system in the body (the immune system response involves the production of antibodies). Antigens are also present on the surface of normal or cancer cells. The myeloma cells may reduce the number of plasma cells and, as a result, diminish the capacity of the immune system to fight off antigens as the antibody production is inhibited.
M Protein
As the malignant plasma cells begin crowding out the normal plasma cells, they inhibit the body’s ability to fight infection.
Multiple myeloma is considered a “clonal plasma cell malignancy.” This is because usually, the myeloma cells come from a single cell that becomes cancerous.
Common symptomsof multiple myeloma include:
The exact cause of multiple myeloma has not been clearly established. It is thought that there may be a genetic factor involved because of the increased incidence of the disease among close relatives.
Another possible causative factor may be radiation exposure or contact with chemical solvents such as benzene.
Multiple myeloma treatment may include:
The key to longevity, says one person with multiple myeloma who has survived the disease for 11.5 years, is early diagnosis and intervention (before kidney failure occurs), coping effectively with the disease, and seeking out the highest level of care available.
Complications
There are many complications that can occur from multiple myeloma, these may include:
Having multiple myeloma usually requires making some difficult adjustments in life. Some of these changes may be transitory, while others are long-term. It’s important to seek out a support network and learn to employ methods of dealing with an ongoing life-threatening disease such as multiple myeloma.
Many survivors recommend getting a support pet, attending support group meetings, journaling, and using positive coping mechanisms such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness practice, and more.
Confronted with advanced incurable disease, some people find it beneficial to explore options for end-of-life decisions. Topics such as pain relief, the use of feeding tubes, and other important medical issues can be proactively managed well in advance of ever needing to employ them.
While it’s understandable that most people do not want to focus on the fatality of any disease, taking charge in managing advanced directives, living wills, and other end-of-life care issues can be very empowering.
A Word From Verywell
While researchers are learning more about the causes and risk factors for multiple myeloma, there is still much to be discovered. If you or a loved one is either facing a diagnosis or coping with the disease, be sure to seek out an experienced healthcare team to consult with on your concerns as well as an outside support group to speak with. These things can be reassuring as you face the uncertainty of living with multiple myeloma.
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.Kyle RA, Rajkumar SV.Multiple myeloma. Blood. 2008;111(6):2962-72. doi:10.1182/blood-2007-10-078022National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.Rare Disease Database - Multiple myeloma.National Cancer Institute staff.Cancer Stat Facts: Myeloma. National Cancer Institute.Kazandjian D.Multiple myeloma epidemiology and survival: A unique malignancy. Semin Oncol. 2016;43(6):676-681. doi:10.1053/j.seminoncol.2016.11.004Zhao Y, Niu D, Ye E, et al.Secular trends in the burden of multiple myeloma from 1990 to 2019 and its projection until 2044 in China.Front Public Health. 2022;10:938770. Published 2022 Jul 8. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.938770Bianchi G, Ghobrial IM.Does my patient with a serum monoclonal spike have multiple myeloma?. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2012;26(2):383-93, ix. doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2012.02.009Koura DT, Langston AA.Inherited predisposition to multiple myeloma. Ther Adv Hematol. 2013;4(4):291-7. doi:10.1177/2040620713485375Additional ReadingMedscape staff.Bone Marrow Anatomy.Medscape.Merck Manual staff.Multiple Myeloma (Myelomatosis; Plasma Cell Myeloma).Merck Manuals.com.Myeloma Revealed staff.Multiple Myeloma Definitions and Statistics.Myeloma Revealed.National Cancer Institute staff.Cancer Stat Facts: Myeloma.National Cancer Institute.Peterson, G.Why Do People Beat the Average Multiple Myeloma Life Expectancy Prognosis?Or How To Improve Your Myeloma Survival Rate?Myeloma Crowd.org.The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation staff.Multiple Myeloma Disease Overview.Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
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.Kyle RA, Rajkumar SV.Multiple myeloma. Blood. 2008;111(6):2962-72. doi:10.1182/blood-2007-10-078022National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.Rare Disease Database - Multiple myeloma.National Cancer Institute staff.Cancer Stat Facts: Myeloma. National Cancer Institute.Kazandjian D.Multiple myeloma epidemiology and survival: A unique malignancy. Semin Oncol. 2016;43(6):676-681. doi:10.1053/j.seminoncol.2016.11.004Zhao Y, Niu D, Ye E, et al.Secular trends in the burden of multiple myeloma from 1990 to 2019 and its projection until 2044 in China.Front Public Health. 2022;10:938770. Published 2022 Jul 8. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.938770Bianchi G, Ghobrial IM.Does my patient with a serum monoclonal spike have multiple myeloma?. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2012;26(2):383-93, ix. doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2012.02.009Koura DT, Langston AA.Inherited predisposition to multiple myeloma. Ther Adv Hematol. 2013;4(4):291-7. doi:10.1177/2040620713485375Additional ReadingMedscape staff.Bone Marrow Anatomy.Medscape.Merck Manual staff.Multiple Myeloma (Myelomatosis; Plasma Cell Myeloma).Merck Manuals.com.Myeloma Revealed staff.Multiple Myeloma Definitions and Statistics.Myeloma Revealed.National Cancer Institute staff.Cancer Stat Facts: Myeloma.National Cancer Institute.Peterson, G.Why Do People Beat the Average Multiple Myeloma Life Expectancy Prognosis?Or How To Improve Your Myeloma Survival Rate?Myeloma Crowd.org.The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation staff.Multiple Myeloma Disease Overview.Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
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.
Kyle RA, Rajkumar SV.Multiple myeloma. Blood. 2008;111(6):2962-72. doi:10.1182/blood-2007-10-078022National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.Rare Disease Database - Multiple myeloma.National Cancer Institute staff.Cancer Stat Facts: Myeloma. National Cancer Institute.Kazandjian D.Multiple myeloma epidemiology and survival: A unique malignancy. Semin Oncol. 2016;43(6):676-681. doi:10.1053/j.seminoncol.2016.11.004Zhao Y, Niu D, Ye E, et al.Secular trends in the burden of multiple myeloma from 1990 to 2019 and its projection until 2044 in China.Front Public Health. 2022;10:938770. Published 2022 Jul 8. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.938770Bianchi G, Ghobrial IM.Does my patient with a serum monoclonal spike have multiple myeloma?. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2012;26(2):383-93, ix. doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2012.02.009Koura DT, Langston AA.Inherited predisposition to multiple myeloma. Ther Adv Hematol. 2013;4(4):291-7. doi:10.1177/2040620713485375
Kyle RA, Rajkumar SV.Multiple myeloma. Blood. 2008;111(6):2962-72. doi:10.1182/blood-2007-10-078022
National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.Rare Disease Database - Multiple myeloma.
National Cancer Institute staff.Cancer Stat Facts: Myeloma. National Cancer Institute.
Kazandjian D.Multiple myeloma epidemiology and survival: A unique malignancy. Semin Oncol. 2016;43(6):676-681. doi:10.1053/j.seminoncol.2016.11.004
Zhao Y, Niu D, Ye E, et al.Secular trends in the burden of multiple myeloma from 1990 to 2019 and its projection until 2044 in China.Front Public Health. 2022;10:938770. Published 2022 Jul 8. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.938770
Bianchi G, Ghobrial IM.Does my patient with a serum monoclonal spike have multiple myeloma?. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2012;26(2):383-93, ix. doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2012.02.009
Koura DT, Langston AA.Inherited predisposition to multiple myeloma. Ther Adv Hematol. 2013;4(4):291-7. doi:10.1177/2040620713485375
Medscape staff.Bone Marrow Anatomy.Medscape.Merck Manual staff.Multiple Myeloma (Myelomatosis; Plasma Cell Myeloma).Merck Manuals.com.Myeloma Revealed staff.Multiple Myeloma Definitions and Statistics.Myeloma Revealed.National Cancer Institute staff.Cancer Stat Facts: Myeloma.National Cancer Institute.Peterson, G.Why Do People Beat the Average Multiple Myeloma Life Expectancy Prognosis?Or How To Improve Your Myeloma Survival Rate?Myeloma Crowd.org.The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation staff.Multiple Myeloma Disease Overview.Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
Medscape staff.Bone Marrow Anatomy.Medscape.
Merck Manual staff.Multiple Myeloma (Myelomatosis; Plasma Cell Myeloma).Merck Manuals.com.
Myeloma Revealed staff.Multiple Myeloma Definitions and Statistics.Myeloma Revealed.
National Cancer Institute staff.Cancer Stat Facts: Myeloma.National Cancer Institute.
Peterson, G.Why Do People Beat the Average Multiple Myeloma Life Expectancy Prognosis?Or How To Improve Your Myeloma Survival Rate?Myeloma Crowd.org.
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation staff.Multiple Myeloma Disease Overview.Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
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