Multiple Myeloma
Description
Plasma cells develop from B lymphocytes (B cells), a type of white blood cell that is made in the bone marrow. Normally, when bacteria or viruses enter the body, some of the B cells will change into plasma cells. The plasma cells make a different antibody to fight each type of bacteria or virus that enters the body to stop infection and disease.
Plasma cell neoplasms are diseases in which there are too many plasma cells, or myeloma cells, that are unable to do their usual work in the bone marrow. When this happens there is less room for healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This condition may cause anemia or easy bleeding and make it easier to get an infection. The abnormal plasma cells often form tumors in bones or soft tissues of the body. The plasma cells also make an antibody protein, called M protein, that is not needed by the body and does not help fight infection. These antibody proteins build up in the bone marrow and can cause the blood to thicken or can damage the kidneys.
In multiple myeloma, abnormal plasma cells (myeloma cells) build up in the bone marrow, forming tumors in many bones of the body. These tumors may prevent the bone marrow from making enough healthy blood cells. Normally, the bone marrow produces stem cells (immature cells) that develop into three types of mature blood cells:
- Red blood cells that carry oxygen and other materials to all tissues of the body.
- White blood cells that fight infection and disease.
- Platelets that help prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form.
There are several types of plasma cell neoplasms, of which multiple myeloma is one.
Symptoms
Sometimes multiple myeloma does not cause any symptoms. The following symptoms may be caused by multiple myeloma or other conditions. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
- Bone pain, often in the back or ribs.
- Bones that break easily.
- Fever for no known reason or frequent infections.
- Easy bruising or bleeding.
- Trouble breathing.
- Weakness of the arms or legs.
- Feeling very tired.
Common Treatment Options
The type of treatment selected will depend upon tumor grade and stage as well as your general health. Ten types of treatment are commonly used for multiple myeloma:
- chemotherapy
- other drug therapy
- targeted therapy
- high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant
- biologic therapy
- radiation therapy
- surgery
- watchful waiting
- plasmapheresis and supportive care.
Clinical Trials
Risk Factors
- Age: The risk of multiple myeloma goes up with age. Very few cases are found in people younger than 35. Most people with this cancer are over 65 years old.
- Gender: Men are slightly more likely to get multiple myeloma than women.
- Race: Multiple myeloma is almost twice as common among African Americans as caucasians. The reason is not known.
- Family history: This cancer seems to run in some families. If a person has a parent, brother or sister with the disease, their risk of getting it is four times higher than that of other people. But this is rare. Most patients have no other relatives with the disease.
- Other plasma cell diseases: Many people with certain other plasma cell diseases will develop multiple myeloma later.
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