What are the six signs of multiple myeloma?

What is usually the first symptom of multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma causes many symptoms, but bone pain often is the first symptom people notice. Other symptoms include: Weakness in your arms and legs and/or a sensation of numbness in your arms and legs. Multiple myeloma can affect the bones in your spine, causing them to collapse and press on your spinal cord.

What are the red flags for multiple myeloma?

High blood levels of calcium

Extreme thirst, leading to drinking a lot. Urinating (peeing) a lot. Dehydration. Kidney problems and even kidney failure.

Where in the body does multiple myeloma start?

Multiple myeloma, the most common type of plasma cell tumor, develops in the bone marrow and can spread throughout the body. Solitary plasmacytoma is a single plasma cell tumor that develops in one part of the body, often in a bone.

When should you suspect multiple myeloma?

Your Doctor May Suspect Multiple Myeloma Before You Do

Low red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, and platelet counts, which are common in multiple myeloma. High levels of calcium in your blood, called hypercalcemia. Abnormal proteins in your blood or urine.

What are the signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma?

How do doctors know if you have myeloma?

A bone marrow biopsy is usually needed to confirm multiple myeloma. A needle is used to take a small sample of bone marrow (where all the blood cells are made) from one of your bones, usually the pelvis.

What conditions are mistaken for myeloma?

What organ is most affected by multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, is a type of bone marrow cancer. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found at the centre of some bones. It produces the body's blood cells. Multiple myeloma affects the plasma cells (a type of blood cell) inside the bone marrow.

What bones does multiple myeloma affect first?

The bones most commonly affected are the spine, pelvis, ribs, skull, and the long bones of the arms and legs.

What is the number one cause of multiple myeloma?

The exact cause of multiple myeloma is not known. Symptoms occur as a result of a process that is initiated by the abnormal multiplication of plasma cells in bone marrow.

Do you sleep a lot with myeloma?

People living with multiple myeloma can feel extremely tired even if they're getting enough sleep. This condition is called fatigue. It's important to recognize the symptoms of fatigue and to report those symptoms to your healthcare team.

What is the most common complaint of multiple myeloma?

About 85% of people with multiple myeloma have some type of bone damage (osteolytic lesions) or loss (osteoporosis). The most commonly affected areas are the spine, pelvis and rib cage. With weakened bones, people with multiple myeloma often experience bone pain and have an increased risk for fracture.

What is the most definitive test to confirm a diagnosis of multiple myeloma?

Bone marrow biopsy

This test is required to confirm the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. A needle is inserted into the bone marrow space to remove a small sliver of bone marrow. Our hematopathologists examine the tissue under a microscope to determine if there are myeloma cells in the bone marrow.

Can you have myeloma for years without knowing?

Some people have multiple myeloma for months or years before they even know they're sick. This earliest phase is called smoldering multiple myeloma. When you have it, you won't have any symptoms, but your test results will show: At least 10% to 59% of your bone marrow is made up of cancerous plasma cells.

Does multiple myeloma show up in blood work?

Laboratory analysis of your blood may reveal the M proteins produced by myeloma cells. Another abnormal protein produced by myeloma cells — called beta-2-microglobulin — may be detected in your blood and give your doctor clues about the aggressiveness of your myeloma.

Does multiple myeloma affect walking?

Because multiple myeloma can affect your mobility, it puts you at a higher risk for injury or falling. This can make physical activity more challenging.

Where do you get bone pain with myeloma?

Bone pain. Multiple myeloma can cause pain in affected bones – usually the back, ribs or hips. The pain is frequently a persistent dull ache, which may be made worse by movement.

What is the most common site for bone disease in multiple myeloma?

Bone disease is observed in almost 80% of newly diagnosed symptomatic multiple myeloma patients, and spine is the bone site that is more frequently affected by myeloma-induced osteoporosis, osteolyses, or compression fractures.

Where does your back hurt with multiple myeloma?

Bone pain is a common symptom. Myeloma cells grow in the bone marrow and cortical bone, causing local bone damage or generalized thinning of the bone, which is called osteoporosis. This makes the bone more likely to break. The back or ribs are the most common sites of bone pain, but any bone can be affected.

Which bones are affected by myeloma?

Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, is a type of bone marrow cancer. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue at the centre of some bones that produces the body's blood cells. It's called multiple myeloma as the cancer often affects several areas of the body, such as the spine, skull, pelvis and ribs.

What is the most important blood test for multiple myeloma?

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

It is one of the most important blood tests used for diagnosing and monitoring myeloma patients. The CBC quantifies all the cells that make up the solid parts of blood. The liquid part of blood that is colorless is called serum.

What drugs can cause multiple myeloma?

An increased risk of multiple myeloma was found among women who used prednisone (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.8-14.4), insulin (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.1-9.0), or gout medication (OR, 6.7; 95% CI, 1.2-38.0).

Can myeloma be seen on MRI?

An MRI scan may give your specialist more information about the extent of your myeloma than x-rays. It is particularly useful for investigating myeloma affecting the bones of the spine, and possibly causing pressure on the spinal cord.

What cancers are similar to multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia are all types of cancer that start in your blood cells. Doctors often call them blood cancers. While these three types of cancer are alike in some ways, they affect different parts of your body. Some are harder to treat than others.

What blood results indicate myeloma?

Serum free light chain or SFLC (also called light chain assay): this shows if there are small proteins called light chains in your blood, which is common in myeloma. If you have light chains in your blood but no paraprotein, this may mean you have a type of myeloma called light chain myeloma.