What Are the Causes of Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma, also called myeloma or plasma cell myeloma, is an incurable but treatable form of cancer, and is a blood disease that affects the plasma cells. Plasma cells develop in bone marrow and are an important component of your immune system, since they produce antibodies that help you fight off disease and infection. In the case of multiple myeloma, these cells become abnormal, increase in number and can become malignant, traveling through the bloodstream to collect in bone marrow, where they cause permanent damage to healthy tissue. It is important to understand all you can about this condition in order to receive effective care.

Risk Factors

• Unfortunately, the exact cause of this disease is still unknown; however, some of the factors listed here can put you at an increased risk. According to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, men are more likely to develop multiple myeloma then women. It is usually diagnosed in those over age 45, and the risk continues to increase with age. The majority of patients diagnosed with this disease are over age 65, and African-Americans have the highest risk of developing the disease.

Exposure to Chemicals

• Continued exposure to radiation may increase your risk of multiple myeloma; this can occur in hospital workers who administer tests and treatments using radiation. According to the American Cancer Society, some studies have suggested that workers in certain petroleum-related industries may be at higher risk as well. However, the American Cancer Society also states that exposure to radiation accounts for a very small number of cases of multiple myeloma.

Genetics and Predisposition

• Multiple myeloma appears to run in some families. If a sibling or parent has myeloma, a person is four times more likely to get the disease. However, in some cases, patients have no affected relatives, so this is not a definitive marker. Research has shown that myeloma cells may show abnormalities in their chromosomes; normal human cells usually contain 46 chromosomes, but in myeloma cells, chromosome number 13 is always missing. This deletion appears to make the myeloma more aggressive and resistant to treatment.

Other Plasma Cell Diseases

• According to the Mayo Clinic, studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggest that if monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or solitary plasmacytoma is present, there is a higher risk of developing multiple myeloma. MGUS is characterized by an abnormal protein that is produced by plasma cells, which can then progress into multiple myeloma or another rare form of blood or bone cancer. Solitary plasmacytoma is similar to multiple myeloma, except that it is diagnosed in cases where only one plasma cell tumor is found; this condition can spread to other cells and become multiple myeloma.

Symptoms

• The symptoms of beginning stages of multiple myeloma are similar to those of many other medical conditions. Common symptoms include bone pain (in most cases in the back), unexplained broken bones (usually in the spine), feeling weak and tired, being excessively thirsty, frequent infections, constant fever, unexplained weight loss, nausea, constipation and a frequent need to urinate. A diagnosis of multiple myeloma can only be made through a combination of blood tests, x- rays, urine tests and by undergoing a biopsy when necessary. If you notice any of these symptoms, talk with a doctor.