Multiple myeloma is a growing bone marrow cancer, caused by the development and rapid proliferation of an abnormal plasma cell in the bone marrow. The risk of multiple myeloma increases more with advancing age. Multiple myeloma, which is more common in men than women, can be treated with targeted therapies, chemotherapy, and bone marrow transplant.
What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells that produce proteins in the bone marrow that help the body fight infections. It is called multiple myeloma because the disease usually involves the spine, skull, pelvis, rib cage, shoulders, and hips. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell present in the bone marrow that produces blood cells, healthy plasma cells protect the body against diseases and infections by producing antibodies. The development and rapid proliferation of an abnormal plasma cell in the bone marrow also leads to multiple myeloma cancer. Like healthy blood cells, cancerous cells try to produce antibodies, however, they can only produce abnormal antibodies called monoclonal proteins or M proteins. When these harmful antibodies build up in the body, they can cause kidney damage and other serious problems.
What Causes Multiple Myeloma?
The exact cause of multiple myeloma cancer is not known yet. myeloma cells divide indefinitely, which can disrupt the production of healthy cells.
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What are the risk factors for Multiple Myeloma?
Although the exact cause of multiple myeloma cancer is not known, it is known who is at risk. Advancing age increases the risk of developing multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is usually seen in people over the age of 60 and rarely under the age of 35. Those at risk for multiple myeloma include:
Age: Multiple myeloma usually occurs in people over the age of 60, so advancing age increases the risk of multiple myeloma.
Race: The risk of multiple myeloma is higher in black races than in other races. The reason for this difference between races is unknown.
Men: Men have a higher risk of developing multiple myeloma cancer than women, and the reason for this elevation is not yet known.
History of Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS): MGUS is a benign condition in which abnormal plasma cells produce M proteins. Usually there are no symptoms and an abnormal M protein level is found with a blood test. Sometimes people with MGUS develop certain cancers, such as multiple myeloma. there is no cure for it. however, people with MGUS have regular laboratory tests (every 1 or 2 years) to check for an increase in M protein levels.
Family history of multiple myeloma: Multiple myeloma is not a genetic disease, but research shows that people with a close relative with multiple myeloma are at higher risk of developing the disease.
What Are the Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma can progress without any symptoms, and the symptoms of the disease may vary from person to person. Symptoms of multiple myeloma can be listed as follows:
- Bone pain (usually in the back and ribs)
- Bone fractures (usually in the spine)
- feeling sluggish and very tired
- feeling very thirsty
- Frequent infections
- Fire
- Loss of appetite
- weight loss
- Nausea
- Constipation
- frequent urination
What Are the Stage Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma?
Various tests are performed on the patient who comes with the suspicion of multiple myeloma. The patient whose biopsy shows multiple myeloma should plan treatment with his doctor. Extra examinations should be performed for the extent of spread (stage) of the disease. Investigations for the definitive diagnosis of multiple myeloma cancer are:
- Blood tests: Blood tests such as albumin and beta-2-microglobulin are needed to determine the stages of multiple myeloma cancer.
- BT scan: Detailed pictures of the bones are taken with an x-ray device connected to a computer.
- MRI: A powerful magnet connected to a computer is used to create detailed pictures of your bones.
Physicians may define multiple myeloma as asymptomatic, Stage I, Stage II, or Stage III. The staging takes into account whether the cancer is causing problems in the bones or kidneys. Asymptomatic multiple myeloma is the early stage of the disease in which there is no symptom, no bone damage. The early disease stage where there are symptoms (such as bone damage) is Stage I. Stage II or III are more advanced stages. There are more myeloma cells in the body.
How is Multiple Myeloma Disease Diagnosed?
Multiple myeloma can sometimes be diagnosed with a routine blood test. Doctors suspect multiple myeloma after an x-ray film is taken, often for a bone fracture. Often patients go to the doctor because they have other symptoms. To find out whether such problems are due to multiple myeloma or other conditions, your doctor will order the following tests after a family history and physical examination.
Blood tests: Some blood tests are done in the laboratory:
Multiple myeloma causes high levels of proteins in the blood. A laboratory test checks the levels of many different proteins, including M protein and other immunoglobulins (antibodies), albumin and beta-2-microglobulin.
Myeloma can also lead to anemia and low levels of white blood cells and platelets. A complete blood count is done in the laboratory to measure the number of white and red blood cells and platelets.
The laboratory also checks whether the calcium level is high.
A measurement of creatinine is done to see if the kidneys are working well.
Urine tests: The Bence Jones protein, a type of M protein, is looked for in the urine. The amount of Bence Jones protein in 24-hour urine is measured. If your urine sample shows a high level of Bence Jones protein, your doctor will monitor your kidneys. I think Jones protein can clog the kidneys and cause damage.
X-ray: Film may be taken to check your broken or thinned bones. Your entire body may be filmed to see how many bones the myeloma has damaged.
Biopsy: A biopsy is the only sure way to know if myeloma cells are present in your bone marrow. Your doctor takes a tissue sample to look for cancer cells. Before the sample is taken, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area, which helps reduce pain. Your doctor removes some bone marrow from your hip or another large bone, and the pathologist uses a microscope to examine the tissue for myeloma cells.
There are two ways your doctor can take bone marrow. For some people, both procedures are performed in the same session:
Bone marrow aspiration: The physician uses a thick, hollow needle to take a sample of bone marrow.
Bone marrow biopsy: The physician uses a thicker, hollow needle to remove a small piece of bone and bone marrow.
What are the Treatment Methods for Multiple Myeloma?
If you have multiple myeloma and are not experiencing any symptoms, your doctor will monitor closely for progression before starting treatment. Blood and urine tests are performed regularly and the course of the disease is monitored and the treatment process is decided.
Once the disease has progressed, there are treatments that can help relieve the patient’s pain, reduce complications, and slow the progression of the disease. Commonly used treatment options for the treatment of multiple myeloma include:
Targeted therapy: With the targeted therapy used in the treatment of multiple myeloma, the cancer cells are tried to be killed by destroying the proteins in the myeloma cells with drugs given intravenously or in the form of pills.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy given intravenously or in pill form is usually administered in high doses before stem cell transplantation. With chemotherapy, which is an aggressive drug treatment, myeloma and other fast-growing cells are destroyed.
Corticosteroids: It is a type of treatment given in pill form or intravenously to reduce inflammation in the body, balance the immune system and treat myeloma cells.
Radiation therapy: Powerful radiation energy and rays are used to stop the growth of myeloma cells, shrink and destroy them.
Autologous bone marrow transplantation: After the diseased bone marrow is treated, stem cells are collected from the patient himself, then high-dose chemotherapy is given and the collected stem cells are given back to the patient. Thus, stem cells can be grafted into the body, where they are transported to the bones and begin to regenerate the bone marrow. This is called an Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant.
Frequently asked Questions
Since the exact cause of multiple myeloma cancer is not known, the way of protection from the disease is also unknown.
Multiple myeloma cancer can be diagnosed early today with advancing medical technology.
As with all cancers, the risk of death increases if multiple myoma is left untreated.
Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, is a bone marrow cancer that originates from plasma cells.
As with other cancer types, chemotherapy treatment given intravenously or in pill form is applied in multiple myeloma cancer.
Successful results can be obtained from the treatment techniques applied to prevent the progression of multiple myeloma cancer and the spread of the disease.
Autologous bone marrow transplantation is applied to patients with multiple myeloma.
About 6 months after the autologous bone marrow transplant, the person can return to his normal life.
Multiple myeloma often metastasizes to the bones.
Multiple myeloma is a type of bone marrow cancer with an increasing incidence.
