Myeloma Overview

We provide education and outreach programs nationwide to increase awareness of myeloma and to improve all patients’ ability to access treatment and other resources.  We are in the process of updating and enhancing our Myeloma Link webpage to provide you with more information about these programs.

Myeloma

Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. Plasma cells develop from B lymphocytes (B cells). B cells are found in the blood, lymph nodes and bone marrow.

Plasmacytomas. Malignant plasma cells are most commonly found in the bone marrow, but they may accumulate in any part of the body. This is known as a “plasmacytoma.” If the malignant cells form only a single tumor, it is called a “solitary plasmacytoma.” The plasmacytoma can often be cured with radiation therapy alone, but it may recur or later develop into multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma. In most patients with myeloma, the disease already involves multiple sites at the time of diagnosis. Because of this, it's often called “multiple myeloma” or “active myeloma.” 

Precursors to myeloma. Smoldering myeloma and “MGUS” (monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance) are precursors to active myeloma.

  • Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS): This is a condition in which there is a higher-than-normal level of M protein in the blood. MGUS does not cause any symptoms. Patients with MGUS are usually monitored with blood tests once or twice a year. Only 20 percent of people diagnosed with MGUS eventually develop myeloma.
  • Smoldering myeloma: This is the stage between MGUS and active myeloma. People with smoldering myeloma usually have no symptoms but need to be checked often for signs of progression to active myeloma

Click here to access myeloma statistics.

For more information about myeloma and treatment, access the free booklets, Myeloma and Myeloma Guide: Information for Patients and Caregivers.

What You Should Know

  • Hematologists and oncologists are specialists who treat people who have myeloma or other types of blood cancer.
  • Treatment outcomes vary widely among patients; results depend on many individual factors.

What You Should Do

  • Talk with your doctor about your diagnostic tests and what the results mean
  • Talk with your doctor about all your treatment options and the results you can expect from treatment.
  • Ask your doctor whether a clinical trial is a good treatment option for you.

To download lists of suggested questions to ask your healthcare providers, click here.

How Does Myeloma Develop?

Myeloma develops when a plasma cell is changed (mutated). 

  • Plasma cells are made from B lymphocytes (B cells), a type of white blood cell that is found in the bone marrow. Healthy plasma cells are part of the immune system and make proteins called “antibodies,” which help fight infection.

The mutated plasma cell (myeloma cell) multiplies, and, if untreated, these cells continue to grow in the marrow. They crowd out the healthy plasma cells and the normal stem cells in the bone marrow that form the white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. If not treated, the cancerous cells can:

  • Crowd out functioning white cells, and the immune system can't guard against infection effectively
  • Secrete high levels of protein in the blood and urine, which can lead to kidney damage
  • Build up in bone, causing it to weaken, which can lead to bone pain and fractures.

Risk Factors

Doctors don't know why some cells become myeloma cells and others don't. For most people who have myeloma, there are no obvious reasons why they developed the disease.

There are some factors that may increase the risk of developing myeloma, including:

  • Age - Most people who develop myeloma are over age 50 years.
  • Sex - More males than females develop myeloma.
  • Race - Non-Hispanic Blacks have more than twice the age-adjusted incidence rate of myeloma than non-Hispanic Whites.
  • Medical History - People with a history of MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance) are at higher risk.
  • Environment - Some studies are investigating a link between the development of myeloma and exposure to radiation; certain chemicals, such as pesticides, fertilizer, and Agent Orange, and certain metals, such as cadmium, antimony and lead.
  • Occupation- Some studies indicate that firefighters have a statistically significant higher risk for multiple types of cancer than the general population.

 

Source: Myeloma. Reviewed by Rahil Banerjee, MD, FACP

Related Links

  • Click here to access the NCCN Guidelines for Patients®: Multiple Myeloma booklet. 

Helpful Resources: