Multiple Myeloma

There are many types of cancers that affect the blood cells, such as multiple myeloma, which affects a type of white blood cells and leads to several problems in the body.

Multiple myeloma

• Blood cells are made in the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside the bones. Multiple myeloma affects a type of white blood cell that’s called plasma cells and leads to the formation of cancerous plasma cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and take the healthy cells’ place. Since white blood cells are responsible for producing antibodies that fight diseases in the body, cancerous multiple myeloma cells form abnormal plasma cells, which cause pathologic complications in the body.
• Multiple myeloma in general is divided into three stages, depending on how it’s progressing. Stage 1 means that the disease is progressing slowly, and as the stages develop, this means that the disease is progressing quicker and it’s more severe.
• This condition occurs more in men than women, especially in the African race, and usually manifests between the ages of 40 and 70.

Causes and risk factors leading to multiple myeloma

There hasn’t been a specific cause for multiple myeloma until now, and it’s believed that it occurs due to a genetic mutation. However, the specialists think that there are some risk factors that increase the risk of multiple myeloma, such as:

• Environmental factors like radiation, pesticides, and other toxins.
• Previous inflammatory conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Obesity.

Symptoms of multiple myeloma

• Pain in the bones, especially in the spine, chest, and hips.
• Weakness and numbness in the arms and legs.
• Fatigue and exhaustion.
• Weight loss.
• Hypercalcemia, which leads to thirst, frequent urination, nausea, and constipation.
• Neurological symptoms, such as mental fogginess and confusion.
• Anemia.
• Infections.
• Kidney failure.
• Bleeding and bruising because the cancerous cells prevent producing enough platelets.
• Problems in the bones, such as breaking easily, low density, and increased pain.

Diagnosis of multiple myeloma

• Blood tests.
• Bone marrow test.
• Urine test.
• Physical examination.
• Imaging tests.

Management of multiple myeloma

There isn’t a cure for multiple myeloma, rather, the symptoms are managed. The management depends on the patient’s condition because some cases of multiple myeloma don’t show any symptoms or cause mild ones according to the stage.

In cases that don’t show symptoms, or when the symptoms are mild, the patient might not need any treatment but regular monitoring.

As the condition progresses, these treatments are used:

• Specific medications.
• Targeted therapy.
• Radiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy.
• Immunotherapy.
• Stem cells transplant.
• Bone marrow transplant.