Details of Multiple Myeloma

This is a cancer in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. These cancer cells can produce abnormal proteins that can cause complications.

• Bone pain, especially in spine or chest
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Mental fogginess or confusion
• Fatigue
• Frequent infections
• Weight loss
• Weakness or numbness in the legs
• Excessive thirst

 Blood tests

 Urine tests

 Examination of bone marrow

 Imaging tests

Treatment options:

 Targeted therapy: Targeted drug treatments focus on specific weakness present within cancer cells.

 Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy manipulates the immune system to fight cancer.

 Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy used drugs to kill cancer cells.

 Corticosteroids: Corticosteroid medications regulate the immune system to control inflammation in the body.

 Radiation therapy: This uses high-powered energy beams from sources such as X-rays and protons to kill cancer cells.

 Bone marrow transplant: This may also be considered.

 Alternative medicine:

• Increasing age
• Male sex
• Black race
• Family history of multiple myeloma
• Personal history of a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

• Frequent infections
• Bone problems
• Reduced kidney functions
• Low red blood cell count (anemia)