|
Multiple myeloma Causes and Risks:
Multiple myeloma is characterized by the overgrowth and malfunction of plasma cells in the bone marrow. The growth of the plasma cells interferes with the growth of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets ; therefore anemia , susceptibility to infection, and tendencies toward bleeding develop. As the cells grow and expand in the bone marrow, they cause pain and destruction of the bones. If the bones in the spine are affected, compression of the nerves may result causing numbness or paralysis . Renal failure is a frequent complication caused by the excess calcium related to bone destruction. Multiple myeloma affects older adults. Other risk factors are unknown. This disease is rare with about 3 new cases per 100,000 people a year.
Prevention:
The specific cause is unknown, therefore prevention is unknown.
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
Treatment:
The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms, but there is no curative therapy. Complete remission is unusual. People who have mild disease or in whom the diagnosis is in doubt are usually observed without treatment.
Chemotherapy with alkylating agents and localized radiation therapy for relief of bone pain or treating a bone tumor may be useful. Bone marrow transplantation in younger patients is experimental, but the long-term results of this treatment are not known.
Symptoms of high serum calcium levels are treated, and dehydration is avoided to optimize kidney function.
The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group .
Prognosis:
Median survival of people with multiple myeloma is 3 years.
Complications:
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if you experience decreased urine output .
Call your health care provider if you have multiple myeloma and infection develops, or numbness or loss of movement or loss of sensation develops.
Cryoglobulinemia is caused by an abnormal protein that is occasionally found in the blood of people with multiple myeloma, leukemia, and certain forms of pneumonia. It causes blood to gel at low temperatures. In this picture, cryoglobulinemia has reduced blood flow in the fingers so much the fingers have turned dark; the black areas are gangrene resulting from lack of blood flow.
|
