When should I suspect myeloma?

In the early stages, myeloma may not cause any symptoms. It's often only suspected or diagnosed after a routine blood or urine test. However, myeloma will eventually cause a wide range of problems, including: a persistent dull ache or specific areas of tenderness in your bones.

What is usually the first early 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.

How do you confirm 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. A small sample of bone may also be removed.

How long can you have multiple myeloma and not know it?

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.

What are the warning signs of myeloma?

What other blood tests are useful if you suspect a myeloma diagnosis?

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.

Can you have myeloma and not know it?

In the early stages, myeloma may not cause any symptoms. It's often only suspected or diagnosed after a routine blood or urine test. Eventually, myeloma causes a wide range of problems, including: a persistent bone pain, usually in the back, ribs or hips.

Where does myeloma pain start?

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 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.

What triggers myeloma?

What Are Its Causes? Exposure to toxic chemicals, atomic radiation, anything that interferes with the immune system, or infection with cancer-causing viruses, may potentially be linked to the developing myeloma.

Does myeloma show up in CBC?

The complete blood count1 (CBC) is a test that measures the levels of red cells, white cells, and platelets in the blood. If there are too many myeloma cells in the bone marrow, some of these blood cell levels can be low. The most common finding is a low red blood cell count (anemia2).

Does multiple myeloma show up in blood work?

Finding a monoclonal antibody in the blood may be the first step in diagnosing multiple myeloma. This abnormal protein is known by several different names, including monoclonal immunoglobulin, monoclonal protein (M protein), M spike, or paraprotein.

What is the gold standard in diagnosing multiple myeloma?

Plain radiography remains the gold standard imaging procedure for staging newly diagnosed and relapsed myeloma, according to an International Myeloma Working Group consensus statement.

What are unusual symptoms of multiple myeloma?

Sometimes, multiple myeloma can damage nerves, causing a condition called peripheral neuropathy. Sometimes, the abnormal proteins produced by myeloma cells can damage nerves. This damage can lead to weakness and numbness and sometimes a “pins and needles” sensation. This is also called peripheral neuropathy.

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.

Can multiple myeloma come on suddenly?

The bone damage associated with multiple myeloma occurs mostly in the rib cage, spine and pelvis, increasing the risk of spinal cord compression, which causes pain, numbness or weakness in the limbs and requires immediate treatment. It may come on gradually or suddenly.

How fast does myeloma progress?

The risk of myeloma progressing is highest in the first 5 years after diagnosis. About 50 out of 100 people (50%) with smouldering myeloma develop symptoms and need treatment within the first 5 years. However, after 5 years the risk decreases and some people never develop symptoms or need treatment.

What is hemoglobin level in multiple myeloma?

Anemia is typically moderate with hemoglobin concentrations between 8 and 10 g/dl in most patients. However, up to 10% of myeloma patients have hemoglobin concentrations less than 8g/dL and, in general, anemia impacts quality of life⁸ and is an independent predictor of decreased survival.

What is first stage myeloma?

Stage 1 (or stage I) multiple myeloma is the least advanced stage. People with stage 1 myeloma have few myeloma cells in the body. The cancer cells have not yet spread very far or caused as much damage as in other stages.

What does bone pain feel like with myeloma?

Bone pain and damage

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.

Do you feel sick with myeloma?

Symptoms of weight loss, nausea, thirst, muscle weakness, and mental confusion are related to kidney failure, hypercalcemia, or other imbalances in blood chemicals. Fever and infections, especially of the upper respiratory tract and lungs, may arise as a result of the lower immunity that people with myeloma have.

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.

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.

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 labs are abnormal in myeloma?

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.