Must-know multiple myeloma facts

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer. Each year, more than 35,000 cases are diagnosed in the United States, and about 12,000 people die from the disease. Although multiple myeloma doesn’t have a cure, there are many treatment options available. 

Multiple myeloma basics 

White blood cells are part of the immune system, which helps to fight infection and keep your body healthy. A plasma cell is a type of white blood cell, located mostly in bone marrow and lymph nodes throughout your body. Plasma cells produce antibodies (proteins) to respond to viruses, bacteria, and other substances that can harm you. 

When a person has multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells multiply within the bone marrow. Instead of creating healthy antibodies, these cells develop monoclonal protein (M protein). This builds up in the bloodstream and can damage the kidneys and other organs. Myeloma cells also produce substances that speed up the dissolving of bone, making them weaker and more prone to breaks. 

Multiple myeloma risk factors and symptoms

Experts don’t know for sure what causes multiple myeloma. There are several known risk factors for the disease, however.  

• Age: Most people diagnosed are age 65 and older.
• Sex: Men are slightly more likely than women to have a diagnosis. 
• Race: Black people are far more likely to have multiple myeloma than people of other races and ethnicities.
• Family history. There’s a small increase in risk if someone has a close relative with the disease. 
• Other plasma cell diseases: For example, a diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) raises risk of multiple myeloma. 

Symptoms of multiple myeloma vary from person to person and are rarely noticeable in the disease’s early stages. If they are present, they may appear similar to symptoms of other diseases. These symptoms may include: 

• Bone pain 
• Fatigue
• Mental fog or confusion
• Increased infections 
• Loss of appetite and/or weight loss
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Excessive thirst 

Diagnosis of multiple myeloma

Sometimes, multiple myeloma can be revealed as part of a standard blood test during a physical. Other times, a person may have symptoms and need testing. A healthcare provider (HCP) will typically use several tests to identify multiple myeloma. These may include: 

• Bone marrow biopsies (samples for examination)
• Blood and urine tests
• Imaging tests such as CT, MRI or PET scans, and X-rays 

Urine tests may reveal the presence of M protein, which could point to multiple myeloma. Blood tests may show if there is M protein in the bloodstream. They can also determine calcium levels, immunoglobulin, and other factors that can indicate the disease. Scans and X-rays reveal if your bones are weakened or have lesions, which are strongly associated with the cancer. 

Multiple myeloma treatment options 

Many treatment options exist for multiple myeloma and the options are evolving quickly as new therapies are tested in clinical trials. Among many factors, a person’s treatment plan is based on general health, stage of multiple myeloma, age, and symptoms. In some cases, HCPs may opt for a “wait-and-see” approach if there are no symptoms. 

Typically, treatment involves one or more of the following: 

• Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. It can be administered as a pill or through an IV into the bloodstream. 
• Targeted therapy drugs work to locate and destroy cancer cells. 
• Immunotherapy, also known as biological therapy, works by using the body’s immune system to eliminate myeloma cells. 
• Stem cell transplant replaces unhealthy bone marrow with healthy bone marrow from a patient’s own body or a donor. 
• Radiation is used to kill of myeloma cells in a specific area. 

There are also treatments for conditions associated with multiple myeloma, which may include anemia, bone loss, or kidney problems. An HCP can discuss overall outlook and provide an in-depth view of prognosis.