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Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a rare but chronic cancer that develops in plasma cells. People usually receive their diagnosis in their late 60s. 

Most patients already have anaemia at diagnosis. The health effects of this cancer are substantial. The myeloma disease takes a heavy toll on bone health, with the majority of patients experiencing bone damage or loss. These facts underscore why spotting symptoms early and getting a quick diagnosis are vital to managing this condition effectively.

What is Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma disease develops when plasma cells become cancerous. These cancerous cells multiply faster and crowd out healthy blood-forming cells. The cancerous cells also create abnormal antibodies called M proteins. M proteins can damage organs instead of fighting infections like normal antibodies.

Types of Multiple Myeloma

Several types exist based on the abnormal proteins produced:

  • Light chain myeloma (15-20% of cases) - Produces only light chain antibodies
  • Non-secretory myeloma (1-3% of cases) - Produces little or no protein
  • IgG myeloma - The most common type
  • Smouldering myeloma - Early form without symptoms

Multiple Myeloma Symptoms 

Early symptoms may include:

  • Bone pain (especially in the hips, back, or skull)
  • Persistent fatigue
  • Frequent infections

Patients in the final stages might experience:

  • Severe confusion or mental fogginess
  • Extreme weakness and exhaustion
  • Serious infections that don't respond to treatment
  • Poor appetite and major weight loss
  • Kidney failure
  • Trouble breathing

High calcium levels can cause severe complications. Patients might feel very thirsty, get constipated, and could fall into a coma without treatment.

Causes of Multiple Myeloma

Scientists haven't identified the exact cause. Multiple myeloma typically develops from a pre-malignant condition called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).

Risk of Multiple Myeloma

Factors increasing risk include:

  • Age over 65
  • Male gender
  • Black ethnicity (twice the risk compared to white people)
  • Family history
  • Obesity
  • Previous MGUS diagnosis

Complications of Multiple Myeloma

Key complications involve:

Diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma

Early detection of multiple myeloma helps doctors provide better care. You should talk to your doctor right away if you experience symptoms that don't go away.

Doctors confirm multiple myeloma through several tests:

  • Blood tests including M proteins, calcium levels, hemoglobin, creatinine, free light chains.
  • Urine tests detect Bence Jones proteins
  • A bone marrow biopsy shows plasma cell percentage
  • Imaging tests (X-rays, MRI, CT, PET scans) show bone damage

Multiple Myeloma Treatment

Requires immediate treatment once diagnosed. Treatment options become available as needed:

  • Targeted therapy attacks specific cancer cell 
  • Immunotherapy boosts your immune system's fight against cancer
  • CAR-T cell therapy trains immune cells to target myeloma
  • Chemotherapy kills rapidly growing cells
  • Stem cell transplants replace diseased bone marrow

When to See a Doctor

You need immediate medical care if you experience:

  • Sudden severe back pain
  • Leg numbness or weakness
  • Confusion or symptoms similar to a stroke
  • Less frequent urination

Prevention

No prevention method guarantees success, but you can reduce your risk by:

Regular check-ups matter most, especially if you have MGUS. Quick intervention could stop it from becoming multiple myeloma.

Conclusion

Multiple myeloma brings many challenges to patients' lives, but medical breakthroughs keep improving their outcomes. This blood cancer needs quick attention because early detection can boost treatment success rates. The disease often shows up through bone pain, fatigue, and recurring infections. These warning signs are vital to spot, especially if you have a higher risk.

Your age plays a key role in developing this condition, particularly after 65. A family history of the disease also raises red flags. People with these risk factors should get regular medical check-ups.

Medical teams now have powerful tools to curb multiple myeloma. Targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplants give patients new hope. CAR-T cell therapy offers a major breakthrough to combat this illness.

Every patient needs treatment right away. No one can completely prevent multiple myeloma, but healthy choices might lower your risk. A good weight, an active lifestyle and a nutritious diet support your overall health. Your best defence against this tough condition is to listen to your body and get medical help when symptoms persist.

FAQs

1. What are the first symptoms of myeloma?

Multiple myeloma might not show any symptoms at first. Early signs typically include:

  • Bone pain, mostly in the back, hips, or ribs
  • Unusual fatigue or weakness
  • Infections that don't go away
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • More thirst and urination

Symptoms usually develop slowly. Most people seek medical help because of bone pain.

2. What are the final symptoms of multiple myeloma?

Symptoms get worse as multiple myeloma progresses. Patients in the final stages might experience:

  • Severe confusion or mental fogginess
  • Extreme weakness and exhaustion
  • Serious infections 
  • Poor appetite and major weight loss
  • Kidney failure
  • Trouble breathing
  • Thirst and frequent urination

3. Is multiple myeloma serious?

Yes, multiple myeloma is a serious blood cancer that affects plasma cells and needs quick medical attention. The disease damages bones and organs if left untreated. We have a long way to go, but we can build on this progress in treatment options. Most patients can control the disease for long periods with treatment, though there's no known cure yet.

4. How is myeloma first detected?

Doctors usually find multiple myeloma through:

  • Blood tests that show high protein levels or anaemia
  • Urine tests that detect Bence Jones proteins
  • A bone marrow biopsy that shows abnormal plasma cells
  • Imaging tests that show bone damage

Regular blood work sometimes reveals the disease before symptoms appear. A multiple myeloma diagnosis requires at least 10% plasma cells in bone marrow plus signs of organ damage.

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