Multiple myeloma

Some cells in our blood get sick.

These cells live in our bones. They are meant to help us stay well.

But these sick cells do not work right. They make bad things in the blood. This can make the bones weak. It can also make the bones hurt.

These cells can also hurt the kidneys. The kidneys help clean our bodies. When they are hurt, we feel sick.

Doctors use tests to find these cells. They look at blood and urine. They can also look at the bones.

Doctors have ways to help people. They use medicine to treat the cells. This can help people feel better.

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer. It affects plasma cells. These are white blood cells that help our bodies fight germs.

In this disease, these cells grow in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is the soft part inside our bones. These sick cells make bad proteins called antibodies.

These bad proteins can make the blood too thick. They can also hurt the kidneys. The kidneys help clean our blood.

The cancer can also make bones weak. This often causes pain in the back, hips, or skull.

Some people may even have bones that break easily. Doctors find this disease using blood tests or bone scans. They may also look at a small piece of bone marrow.

We do not know the exact cause of this disease. Some things may increase the risk. These include age, family history, or being very overweight. Some jobs may also be a risk if workers touch certain chemicals. Doctors can use many types of medicine to treat it. This helps people stay well for a long time.

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells. These are white blood cells that help the body fight germs by making antibodies.

In this disease, the plasma cells become abnormal and grow too much. They often live in the bone marrow, which is the soft part inside bones. When these sick cells form a single mass, it is called a plasmacytoma. If there are many masses, it is called multiple myeloma.

This disease is serious because it changes how the body works.

The way this disease works involves a multi-step change in cells. Most cases start as a pre-cancer stage called MGUS. This is a condition where plasma cells are abnormal but not yet cancer. Sometimes it moves to a stage called smoldering myeloma. Eventually, these cells turn into cancer and produce bad proteins. These abnormal antibodies can make the blood too thick. They can also cause damage to the kidneys.

The cells can even form masses in soft tissue.

Doctors find this disease using several different tools. They use blood or urine tests to look for abnormal proteins. One way to see these is through a test called electrophoresis. This can show a special mark called an m-spike.

Doctors also use medical imaging to look for bone lesions. A bone lesion is a spot where the bone is damaged. They might even take a tiny piece of bone marrow to study. This is called a biopsy. This helps them see the cancerous cells clearly.

There are many facts about who gets this disease. It usually happens to people around age 60. It is more common in men than in women. In 2020, about 175,000 people were diagnosed worldwide. In the United States, about 170,405 people were living with it in 2020.

Between 2015 and 2021, about 62% of people lived five years or more. The name comes from Greek words meaning marrow and tumor.

This describes exactly where the disease grows.

We do not know the exact cause, but we know some risks. Being overweight or having a family history can increase the risk. Some jobs might also be a risk. For example, firefighters or hairdressers might touch certain chemicals.

These chemicals include things like benzene or toluene. While the disease is often incurable, it is treatable. Doctors use chemotherapy, steroids, or stem cell transplants. New ways like CAR-T cell therapy are also being used. These treatments help people manage their health.

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells. Plasma cells are a specific type of white blood cell. Their normal job is to produce antibodies to fight infections. In multiple myeloma, these cells become malignant, or cancerous. This means they grow uncontrollably and do not work correctly. The name comes from the Greek words "myelo," meaning marrow, and "oma," meaning tumor.

This describes how the cancer often forms in the bone marrow.

The disease usually follows a specific, multi-step progression. Almost all cases begin with a pre-malignant stage called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, or MGUS. During MGUS, plasma cells are abnormal but not yet cancerous. MGUS can evolve into a second stage known as smoldering myeloma (SMM). From there, it typically transforms into full multiple myeloma. This process is a malignant transformation of the B lymphocytes. These cells start in the bone marrow and mature in the lymph nodes.

Once the cancer is active, it affects the body in several ways. The abnormal plasma cells produce faulty antibodies called monoclonal proteins. These include immunoglobulins and free light chains. These proteins can make the blood overly thick, a condition called hyperviscosity. They can also cause significant damage to the kidneys. If the cells form a single mass, it is called a plasmacytoma. When there are many masses, it is called multiple myeloma.

Many different symptoms can arise from these cellular changes. Because the cancer grows in the bone marrow, it often damages the bones. More than 80% of patients show signs of bone damage at diagnosis. This leads to bone pain and fractures, especially in the spine, hips, or skull. As bones break down, they release calcium into the blood. This causes hypercalcemia, or high blood calcium levels. This can lead to confusion, fatigue, or even weakness.

Doctors use specific tools to diagnose the disease. They perform blood or urine tests to find abnormal proteins. One technique is electrophoresis, which can reveal a "monoclonal spike" called an m-spike. Doctors also perform a bone marrow biopsy. This allows them to look at the cells under a microscope. Medical imaging is used to find bone lesions, which are damaged spots in the bone. These tools help doctors see exactly how the disease is affecting the patient.

While the exact cause is unknown, scientists have identified several risk factors. Obesity is one factor, as a higher BMI is linked to increased risk. A family history can also play a role due to inherited tendencies. Certain jobs involve exposure to aromatic hydrocarbon solvents like benzene, toluene, or xylene. Firefighters, hairdressers, and industrial workers may face higher risks. These chemical exposures can lead to a diagnosis many years later.

Statistics show how widespread this disease is. In 2020, about 175,000 people were diagnosed globally. In the United States, about 170,405 people were living with the disease in 2020. The disease is most common in men and older adults, usually around age 60. Between 2015 and 2021, about 62% of U.S. patients lived five years or more after diagnosis.

Treatment focuses on managing the disease, though it is generally considered incurable. Doctors use chemotherapy, steroids, and targeted therapy to fight the cancer. Stem cell transplants are also a common option. For bone pain, doctors may use radiation or bisphosphonates. New methods like CAR-T cell therapy are being added to treatment plans. These various approaches help patients reach periods of remission.