Multiple myeloma is a cancer that starts in plasma cells, a kind of white blood cell. Plasma cells belong to the immune system, which helps defend the body against germs and other harmful substances. Over time, myeloma cells build up in the bone marrow and in the solid parts of the bones.
Who gets it
The exact causes are unknown. Multiple myeloma is more common in older people and in African Americans, and it can run in families.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include:
- bone pain, often in the back or ribs;
- fractures;
- weakness or fatigue;
- weight loss;
- frequent infections and fevers;
- intense thirst;
- frequent urination.
Diagnosis
Doctors diagnose multiple myeloma with laboratory tests, imaging tests and a bone marrow biopsy.
Treatment
Treatment depends on how far the disease has advanced and whether it is causing symptoms. People without symptoms may not need treatment right away. For people with symptoms, options include chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, radiation and targeted therapy — drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells while doing less harm to normal cells.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine: "Multiple Myeloma," drawing on the National Cancer Institute.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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