Multiple myeloma is a rare type of cancer that affects the plasma cells and is currently incurable, but it can be prevented from progressing further. It usually occurs in people above 60 years of age and is more prevalent in men than in women. While the exact cause of multiple myeloma is unknown, risk factors include obesity, a family history of the disease, and radiation exposure.

What is multiple myeloma?
Under normal circumstances, the plasma cells in the bone marrow produce antibodies that enable the body to fight infections and diseases. However, when an abnormal plasma cell develops and rapidly reproduces itself, multiple myeloma occurs. These reproducing cancerous cells, also known as myeloma cells, produce dangerous antibodies known as M proteins. As myeloma cells continue to grow in the bone marrow and crowd out the healthy red and white blood cells, these M proteins accumulate in the body and can cause serious medical issues such as kidney failure.

Symptoms of multiple myeloma
The signs and symptoms in multiple myeloma patients usually vary a great deal, as multiple organs are affected by the disease. Some of the commonly observed symptoms include:

• Bone pain – This is the most common symptom, affecting about 70% of patients. Pain usually occurs in the ribs and spine and is accentuated by activity. Pathological bone fractures may also occur, indicated by persistent localized pains.
• Hypercalcemia – The breakdown of the healthy bone releases excess calcium into the blood.
• Anemia – This results from the reduced production of healthy red blood cells and the replacement of healthy bone marrow by the cancerous cells.
• Infection – The greatest risk of infection in multiple myeloma patients is when chemotherapy begins. Common infections include pneumonia and pyelonephritis.
• Kidney failure – This can be both chronic and acute, and results from the secretion of the harmful M proteins by the cancer cells.
• Neurological symptoms – Anemia and hypercalcemia could cause weakness, fatigue, confusion, and headaches.

Diagnosis of multiple myeloma
If the patient is experiencing symptoms such as sudden anemia, kidney malfunctioning, or bone lesions, tests may be ordered to check for multiple myeloma.

• Blood tests – Doctors conduct protein electrophoresis to test for the presence of M proteins, produced by the cancer cells, in the blood. Raised calcium levels in the blood are also an indication of the presence of myeloma cells.
• Histopathology – A bone marrow biopsy can help determine the percentage of plasma cells with abnormalities (indicative of myeloma cells) in the bone marrow.
• Medical imaging – A skeletal survey may be conducted by taking X-rays of the skull, the spinal cord, and the limb bones to check for lesions.

Treatments for multiple myeloma
Treatment for multiple myeloma depends on the degree to which the patients are displaying symptoms. If the patient is asymptomatic, treatment could be limited to clinical trials or even deferred completely. Treatment for patients displaying symptoms depends on their age and other health factors. For those below the age of 65, treatment usually involves high-dosage chemotherapy followed by stem-cell transplantation. For those over the age of 65, chemotherapy is the main form of treatment. Maintenance therapy is advised to help prevent relapses of the disease after the initial stage of treatment.