March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month.
Multiple myeloma, sometimes simply called myeloma, is a blood cancer that affects thousands of people each year.
Here’s what you need to know about multiple myeloma—what it is, how it’s treated, and what steps you can take to get an early diagnosis so treatment can begin as quickly as possible.
What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a rare type of cancer that begins in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. Plasma cells produce antibodies that help you fight infections. They are found in the bone marrow, the soft inner part of bones where your body produces blood cells.
How does multiple myeloma develop?
When plasma cells become abnormal or cancerous, they multiply rapidly and crowd out healthy plasma cells. Instead of doing their normal job of making antibodies to protect against germs, the cancer cells start producing an abnormal antibody called a monoclonal protein (M protein).
What are the risk factors for multiple myeloma?
There is no clear reason why some people get multiple myeloma and others don’t. However, certain factors can increase the risk of developing the disease.
Risk factors for multiple myeloma include:
- Be over 65 years old
- To be black
- A family history of multiple myeloma
- Living with overweight or obesity
- Have another plasma cell disorder
- Exposure to radiation and some chemicals such as pesticides or fertilizers
What are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma may not cause any symptoms. However, if this is the case, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Pain in the bones, especially in the back and ribs
- Broken bones or fractures
- Feel weak or tired
- Weight loss cannot be explained
- Frequent infections and fever
- Constant feeling of thirst
- Have to pee often
What health complications can multiple myeloma cause?
Multiple myeloma can cause other health problems including:
- Frequent infections
- Bone problems, including pain, fractures and thinning
- Kidney problems, including kidney failure, when your kidneys cannot properly remove waste from the body
- Anemia or low red blood cell count
- High levels of calcium in the blood, known as hypercalcemia
How is multiple myeloma diagnosed?
If your healthcare provider (HCP) thinks you have multiple myeloma or if you have symptoms, you will be given tests to confirm the diagnosis. If you have no symptoms, testing for another health condition may detect multiple myeloma.
- Blood and urine tests can detect M proteins. A blood test can also detect other proteins made by myeloma cells, such as beta-2 microglobulin. Other blood tests may include complete blood counts to check your kidney function and your calcium and uric acid levels.
- Imaging tests Such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans can be used to look for bone problems.
- A bone marrow biopsy is a test in which your doctor inserts a needle into the bone marrow cavity – usually from the hip – to remove tissue for testing. This tissue is examined under a microscope to look for myeloma cells.
Your HCP may also use the CRAB criteria to diagnose myeloma. CRAB stands for:
- High CAlcium levels
- REnal (kidney) problems
- APretty
- ba damage
If your tests show M proteins in your blood without any other symptoms, you may be diagnosed with a condition that is a precursor to multiple myeloma.
The two precursors are early-stage myelomas and include:
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS): Considered benign or benign and does not require treatment. About 1% of people with MGUS will eventually develop active myeloma.
- Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM): Considered a precancerous condition and if treatment is needed, it will likely be done as part of a clinical trial. About one in ten people with SMM will develop myeloma.
When active myeloma is found, it is classified into stages 1 to 3. Stage 1 myeloma grows slowly, while stage 3 myeloma grows faster and is more aggressive. Determining the stage will help your doctor find the best treatment plan for you.
What treatment options are there for multiple myeloma?
Treatments for multiple myeloma may include:
- Targeted chemotherapy — specifically attacks cancer cells
- Immunotherapy – uses the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells
- Stem cell transplant – replaces cancerous bone marrow with healthy bone marrow
- CAR T cell therapy – a type of immunotherapy that uses T cells from your blood to fight cancer
- Corticosteroids – Target and destroy myeloma cells
- radiation – causes a mass of myeloma cells to shrink rapidly
There is no cure for multiple myeloma, but it can be managed with treatment. Multiple myeloma has a five-year survival rate of about 62%. This means that about 6 in 10 people with myeloma are still alive five years after the initial diagnosis.
Clinical trials are one way to get involved in new myeloma treatments. Talk to your HCP about your options and review the National Cancer Institute’s list of active multiple myeloma clinical trials.
This educational resource was created with the support of an educational grant from Johnson & Johnson.
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