Myeloma (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Myeloma Overview
- Myeloma Causes
- Myeloma Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Myeloma Treatment
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Support Groups and Counseling
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Multiple Myeloma - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease
Myeloma Symptoms
The symptoms of myeloma depend upon the extent of plasma cell disease and the specific properties of the M proteins secreted.
- Unexpected early osteoporosis can be a sign of myeloma. A person considered too young to be "hunched over" or who notices progressive loss of
height or alteration in spinal curvature may have myeloma in the vertebral
bones.
- Osteolytic bone lesions: The most common symptom is pain. The most frequently affected areas of the skeleton are the ribs
and the spine, resulting in chest wall or back pain. In more advanced myeloma, bone degeneration can cause bones to press on nerve structures, resulting in tingling, numbness, burning sensation, loss of function of a limb or joint, or even paralysis.
- Hypercalcemia and kidney damage: Common symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, constipation, decreased urine production, dehydration and
increased thirst, restlessness, difficulty in thinking or concentrating, and
confusion. Patients without hypercalcemia but with kidney damage may be have
no symptoms or may complain of foamy urine.
- Hyperviscosity syndrome: Symptoms associated with sludging in the blood vessels may include spontaneous bruising or bleeding (from the mouth, nose, or internally), visual problems (due to bleeding and vascular problems in the eye [retinopathy]), neurologic problems (lethargy, confusion, sleepiness, headache, problems with sensation or movement in one area of the body [neuropathy], stroke), and shortness of breath or chest pain (due to congestive heart failure caused by an increased blood volume meant to dilute the blood).
- Low red blood cell count (anemia): Symptoms
include fatigue, paleness, and mild shortness of breath.
- Low white blood cell
count: Symptoms include increased frequency of and susceptibility to
infections.
- Low platelet count: Symptoms include spontaneous bruising, bleeding, or tiny red spots on the skin caused by slowed or unproductive blood clotting. Bleeding can also be internal. Undetected bleeding may occur in the brain or digestive
tract.
- Cryoglobulinemia: The usual symptoms are increased sensitivity to cold
and/or pain and numbness in the fingers and toes during cold weather.
- Amyloidosis: The symptoms are related to malfunction or failure of organs or structures infiltrated by amyloid deposits. These symptoms include problems such as heart failure, liver failure, kidney failure, and blood vessel damage.
Next: When to Seek Medical Care »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Multiple Myeloma - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
The symptoms of multiple myeloma can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?
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Myeloma »
Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells involving more than 10% of the bone marrow.
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