Multiple Myeloma - Symptoms & Treatment

Multiple myeloma is a cancer which embarks in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. Plasma cells are present in bone marrow, the blood producing tissue which fills in spaces within bone. It is part of the wide group of diseases called hematological malignancies. Plasma cells generally make up less than 5 percent of the cells in your bone marrow. But if you have multiple myeloma, a group of deviant plasma cells multiplies, raising the percentage of plasma cells to more than 10 percent of the cells in your bone marrow. The result can be erosion of your bones. The disease also interferes with the role of your bone marrow and immune system, that can result to anemia and infection. Multiple myeloma may also cause complications with your kidneys. Multiple myeloma causes calcium to leak out of bones and into the bloodstream. High levels of calcium in the bloodstream causes nausea, constipation, dehydration and soporificness. Typically, multiple myeloma occurs in people at least 60 years of age. Though its cause is not certain, the increased episode of multiple myeloma among close relatives indicates that heredity plays a role. Exposure to radiation is believed to be a possible cause, as is exposure to benzene and other solvents. A herpesvirus, HHV-8, may play some role in the disease.

Myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Plasma cells customarily produce antibodies and are a specialised form of blood cell called B-lymphocyte. In the United States, roughly 4 out of 100,000 individuals are diagnosed with multiple myeloma each year. This condition is somewhat more common among men than women and almost twice as common among blacks as among whites. The contemporary treatment options for multiple myeloma include watchful waiting chemotherapy, immune-modulating drugs, and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Multiple myeloma is seldom cured, but treatment can relieve symptoms, produce remission, and prolong life. In myeloma and other plasma cell diseases, one of the plasma cells becomes virulent (cancerous) and multiplies. As a consequence, certain antibodies are produced in too great an amount. The development of plasma cells interferes with the making of red and white blood cells, as well as platelets.

Causes of Multiple Myeloma

Common causes and risk factor's of Multiple Myeloma include the following :

The cause of multiple myeloma is unknown :-

• Family history.
• Exposure to high amounts of radiation.
• Exposure to petroleum and other chemicals.

Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma

Some common Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma :

• Fatigue and weakness.
• Weight loss.
• Bleeding gums.
• Bleeding problems.
• Vulnerability to infection.
• Severe bone pain.
• Problems with the kidneys.
• Constipation.
• Nausea.
• Mental confusion.

Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Drugs, including antibiotics to dominate infections, prevent kidney problems or to control anemia
• Bone marrow transplantation
• Medications (to control pain).