Multiple Myeloma Summary Multiple myeloma is a cancer that begins in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. These cells are part of your immune system, which helps protect the body from germs and other harmful substances. In time, myeloma cells collect in the bone marrow and in the solid parts of bones. No one knows the exact causes of multiple myeloma, but it is more common in older people and African Americans. It can run in families. Common symptoms may include Bone pain, often in the back or ribs Broken bones Weakness or fatigue Weight loss Frequent infections and fevers Feeling very thirsty Frequent urination Doctors diagnose multiple myeloma using lab tests, imaging tests, and a bone marrow biopsy. Your treatment depends on how advanced the disease is and whether you have symptoms. If you have no symptoms, you may not need treatment right away. If you have symptoms, you may have chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, radiation, or targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses substances that attack cancer cells without harming normal cells. NIH: National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute Encyclopedia 24-hour urine protein After chemotherapy – discharge B and T cell screen Bone marrow transplant – discharge Bone-marrow transplant – slideshow Cryoglobulins Immunoelectrophoresis – blood Immunoelectrophoresis – urine Immunofixation – blood Immunofixation – urine Quantitative nephelometry T-cell count Find an Expert American Cancer Society American Cancer Society Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology International Myeloma Foundation International Myeloma Foundation Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute NCI Designated Cancer Centers National Cancer Institute Related Issues Amyloidosis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Do We Know What Causes Multiple Myeloma? American Cancer Society Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Understanding Balloon Kyphoplasty and Myeloma-Induced Vertebral Compression Fractures International Myeloma Foundation What Are the Risk Factors for Multiple Myeloma? American Cancer Society What Should You Ask Your Doctor about Multiple Myeloma? American Cancer Society Array Bence-Jones protein – quantitative Bone marrow transplant Multiple myeloma Protein electrophoresis – serum Serum globulin electrophoresis Diagnosis and Tests Beta-2 Microglobulin Tumor Marker American Association for Clinical Chemistry Can Multiple Myeloma Be Found Early? American Cancer Society Diagnosing Multiple Myeloma from Test Results American Cancer Society MedlinePlus: Blood Count Tests National Library of Medicine Myeloma Patient’s Guide to Understanding Your Test Results International Myeloma Foundation Protein Electrophoresis/Immunofixation Electrophoresis American Association for Clinical Chemistry Serum Free Light Chains American Association for Clinical Chemistry Stages of Plasma Cell Neoplasms (Including Multiple Myeloma) National Cancer Institute Treatments and Therapies Blood-Forming Stem Cell Transplants National Cancer Institute Drugs Approved for Multiple Myeloma and Other Plasma Cell Neoplasms National Cancer Institute Integrative Medicine and Complementary and Alternative Therapies Leukemia & Lymphoma Society MedlinePlus: Bone Marrow Transplantation National Library of Medicine Multiple Myeloma Treatment (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Thalidomide Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Treatment Option Overview (Plasma Cell Neoplasms Including Multiple Myeloma) National Cancer Institute Treatment Options for Plasma Cell Neoplasms (Including Multiple Myeloma) National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Multiple Myeloma National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Plasmacytoma National Institutes of Health Start Here General Information about Plasma Cell Neoplasms (Including Multiple Myeloma) National Cancer Institute Multiple Myeloma Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Multiple Myeloma Overview American Academy of Family Physicians Multiple Myeloma: Patient Handbook International Myeloma Foundation Myeloma Leukemia & Lymphoma Society What Is Multiple Myeloma? American Cancer Society Genetics Genetics Home Reference: multiple myeloma National Library of Medicine Reference Desk Glossary of Terms and Definitions International Myeloma Foundation Symptoms Multiple Myeloma Symptoms Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Statistics and Research Myeloma National Cancer Institute Pomalidomide Plus Low-Dose Dexamethasone Improves Survival for Patients with Multiple Myeloma National Cancer Institute What Are the Key Statistics about Multiple Myeloma? American Cancer Society What’s New in Multiple Myeloma Research and Treatment? American Cancer Society Journal Articles Multiple Myeloma Patient Handouts Understanding Chemotherapy National Cancer Institute What to Know about External Beam Radiation Therapy National Cancer Institute Living With What Happens After Treatment for Multiple Myeloma? American Cancer Society
