Multiple Myeloma

Pronunciation

Definition

A type of cancer that begins in plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies). Also called Kahler disease, myelomatosis, and plasma cell myeloma. (NCI Dictionary)

More information

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
• Repeated infections
• 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)

Also called: Plasmacytoma

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Multiple Lobular Capillary Hemangiomas

A lobular hemangioma present in multiple anatomical sites.

Multiple Intraspinal Meningiomas

Multiple meningiomas that arises from the spinal meninges.

Multiple Imputation Technique

The substitution of missing data with the average derived from multiple datasets of data that is not missing.

Multiple Hispanic

A person living in the United States of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish culture or…

Multiple hamartoma syndrome

An inherited disorder marked by the formation of many noncancerous growths called hamartomas. These growths occur in the skin, breast, thyroid, colon,…

Multiple Gestation

A pregnancy involving twins or higher-order multiple fetuses (e.g., triplets, quadruplets).