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What is Symptomatic Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells, which are one kind of white blood cells. Most people with multiple myeloma are men, although women can get it. People over 60 are also more likely to develop multiple myeloma. About 16,000 people in the U.S. get multiple myeloma annually. The disease is incurable, but it can go into remission.

  1. Symptoms and Signs

    • Multiple myeloma can cause bone pain, kidney failure, anemia, fever, recurring infections like pneumonia and pyelonephritis, and weight loss. People with multiple myeloma may have elevated calcium, bone lesions and low levels of platelets. Hyperviscosity syndrome is also related to multiple myeloma. No one knows what causes multiple myeloma.

    Diagnosis

    • If your doctor finds more plasma cells or M proteins than normal in your blood or urine, then you may have multiple myeloma. A test called a Beta 2 microglobulin will discover any abnormal immune globulins and abnormal plasma cells in the blood or bone marrow.

    Types

    • Myeloma comes in three main types. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is considered precancerous and has no symptoms. It is not dangerous except that it can progress into multiple myeloma. People with MGUS have some myeloma cells in their bone marrow.
      Asymptomatic myeloma is more serious than MGUS. Someone with this condition has more myeloma cells than a person with MGUS. As with MGUS, asymptomatic multiple myeloma is not dangerous except that it usually develops into symptomatic multiple myeloma over time. With either condition, your doctor will monitor your condition but you won't need treatment.
      Symptomatic or active myeloma is cancer. Symptoms will occur as the cancer attacks the body. With this condition a patient needs treatment.

    Stages

    • Multiple myeloma has several stages. Physicians usually classify it with either the Durie-Salmon method or the International Staging System. Durie-Salmon refers to three stages, simply called I, II, and III, based on factors such as bone damage, M-protein levels and myeloma cell levels. A patent with normally functioning kidneys is also considered to be Group A; with malfunctioning kidneys he is in Group B.
      The International Staging System looks at albumin levels and B2-microglobulin levels. Lower is better.

    Treatment

    • Symptomatic multiple myeloma is treated with systemic therapies. Oncologists almost always recommend bone marrow transplants and sometimes use radiation. Medication is also common, most commonly Thalidomide with Dexamethasone, or possibly Melphalan with Prednisone.

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