Multiple Myeloma
© Lauren Parthun
According to InteliHealth, multiple myeloma is cancer of the bone marrow, which results from uncontrolled growth of plasm cells (a form of immune-protective white blood cells). Under normal circumstances, plasm cells make antibodies or immunoglobulins (defensive immune proteins) to fight infections. In multiple myeloma, plasma cells multiply uncontrollably and make too much of a single type of immunoglobulin. Levels of other types of immunoglobulin drop dangerously low, leaving patients susceptible to infections. The cancerous plasma cells collect in the bones and the bone marrow, sometimes forming tumors that destroy the bone tissue, causing structural weakness and fractures. Multiple myeloma is a fairly rare form of cancer. It strikes only 3-4 out of every 100,000 people yearly. Age is an important risk factor for the illness, with the average onset at age 60.
Risk Factors
* exposure to radiation
* asbestos
* benzene
* pesticides
There may be no symptoms early in the illness. As multiple myeloma progress, sypmtoms may include: * Pain in the bones, especially in the back, ribs, and
(sometimes) in the arms. Pain results when the number of
myeloma cells increase to the point where bone is being
destroyed. * Frequent infections * Fatigue * A tendency to bleed easily, especially from the nose or gums * Easy brusing * A general numbness of the skin * Severe kidney problems * Loss of appetite * Nausea and vomiting * Confusion
What your doctor looks for
Your doctor will review your medical history, including recent infections, back pain, or pain in your ribs or arms. The doctor will also ask if you bruise easily, have frequent nosebleeds or episodes of bleeding gums, have prolonged bleeding from small cuts, or feel unusually tired.
Diagnosis Your doctor may suspect multiple myeloma based on your age, your medical history, and your current symptoms. The doctor will order blood tests to check for anemia, which occurs when plasma cells crowd the bone marrow and prevent normal production of red blood cells. Blood test wills also reveal unusually high levels of protein, a reflection of the large amounts of immunoglobulin being formed by cancerous plasma cells. A 24-hour urine collection will check for abnormal amounts of protein in the urine. After diagnosis, lab tests will determine the extent of the cancer, described in stages. Stage I- Few cancer cells have spread through the body, and
there may be no symptoms of the disease. Stage II- A moderate number of cancer cells have spread through
the body. Stage III- A large number of cancer cells have spread through
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