What are unusual symptoms of multiple myeloma?

Some people with multiple myeloma have bruising and unusual bleeding (haemorrhage), such as frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums and heavy periods. This is because the cancer cells in your bone marrow can stop blood-clotting cells called platelets from being made.

What is the most prominent symptom of 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.

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.

What was your first symptom of multiple myeloma?

Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma can vary and, early in the disease, there may be none. When signs and symptoms do occur, they can include: Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest. Nausea.

What Can multiple myeloma be confused with?

Some other conditions can appear similar to multiple myeloma, including Lyme disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and arthritis. According to the National Cancer Institute , multiple myeloma may not cause any symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they can include: bone pain, particularly in the back or ribs.

Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma

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 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.

Where does myeloma spread to first?

At first, the cells reproduce in the bone marrow of the spine. From there, they enter the bloodstream and travel to bone marrow in other parts of the body. They collect in the bone marrow and the hard, outer part of the bones. As this progression happens, the plasma cells can cause multiple tumors.

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.

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.

Does multiple myeloma affect the bowels?

Multiple myeloma is a type of bone marrow cancer, but a small portion of people with this cancer also experience gastrointestinal (GI) involvement, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, cramping, and constipation.

What is the marker for myeloma?

Myelomatous PCs may express, in addition to CD38 (the most typical PC marker), the antigens CD9, CD10, HLA-DR, and CD20.

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.

How do you know when multiple myeloma is getting worse?

As active multiple myeloma gets worse, you'll likely feel sicker, with fatigue or bone pain. You may have anemia, bleeding problems, or a lot of infections. Other symptoms of advanced multiple myeloma include unusual fractures, shortness of breath, weakness, feeling very thirsty, and belly pain.

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.

How fast does myeloma spread?

How quickly multiple myeloma progresses can vary between people. An older 2007 study of 276 people found that there was a 10% risk of progression in people with early multiple myeloma per year for the first 5 years of illness.

What is the difference between myeloma and multiple myeloma?

There is no difference. The terms are used interchangeably. Myeloma is derived from the Greek words "myel" (meaning marrow) and "oma" (meaning tumor). Because malignant plasma cells almost always occur in more than one location, it is often referred to as multiple myeloma.

What are the last signs of multiple myeloma?

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 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 is myeloma bone pain like?

Up to 70 out of every 100 people (70%) have pain when they are diagnosed with myeloma. People mostly describe the pain as dull or aching, and it is often felt in the lower back or ribs.It might feel like there is pain in your muscles too. Pain in the bones is caused by a lot of plasma cells collecting there.

What viruses trigger multiple myeloma?

Human herpesvirus-8 has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of KS, BCBL, and multicentric Castleman's disease. Evidence for its role in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma is accumulating. Human herpesvirus-8 is detectable in the nonmalignant bone marrow dendritic cells from most myeloma patients.

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).

What infections cause multiple myeloma?

Studies suggest that your risk of viral infection in the first year may be increased by up to 18 times. Some infections that are more likely when you have myeloma include: Infection in the fluid around your brain and spinal cord (meningitis) Blood poisoning by bacteria (sepsis or septicemia)