Multiple myeloma is a relatively rare cancer that occurs when plasma cells in the blood grow abnormally and out of control.
Multiple myeloma had a very poor prognosis in the past, however, the outlook and survival rates for the disease are improving due to newer treatments. While there is no cure, a number of factors affect a person’s chances of survival after diagnosis:
- Age: survival rates are higher in younger people
- Overall health
- Whether a single plasmacytoma (single tumor) is found or if multiple myeloma is diagnosed
- The tumor’s chromosome changes (cytogenetics)
- The levels of certain proteins and other substances in the blood
- Kidney function
Life expectancy for multiple myeloma is often expressed in five-year survival rates, that is, how many people will be alive five years after diagnosis.
- Multiple myeloma five-year survival rates:
- Localized (solitary plasmacytoma): 75%
- About 95% of cases are diagnosed at this stage
- Regional: Not applicable
- Distant (multiple myeloma): 53%
What Are Multiple Myeloma Symptoms?
It is possible to have multiple myeloma and not notice any symptoms. Symptoms of multiple myeloma occur can include:
- Bone problems: pain, weakness, fractures
- Low blood counts of red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (leukopenia), or plasma cells (thrombocytopenia)
- High blood levels of calcium (hypercalcemia)
- Extreme thirst/drinking a lot
- Increased urination
- Dehydration
- Kidney problems and kidney failure
- Severe constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Infections, including pneumonia
- Nervous system symptoms if the bones in the spine weaken and cause spinal cord compression, a medical emergency. See a doctor right away if you have:
- Sudden severe back pain
- Numbness, usually in the legs
- Muscle weakness, usually in the legs
- Nerve damage
- Weakness and numbness
- “Pins and needles”
- Kidney problems
- Shortness of breath
- Itching
- Leg swelling
- Weakness
- Thickened blood (hyperviscosity) that slows blood flow to the brain
SLIDESHOW
Understanding Cancer: Metastasis, Stages of Cancer, and More See SlideshowWhat Are the Causes and Risk Factors of Multiple Myeloma?
The cause of multiple myeloma is not known, but a possible cause may be due to genetic changes (mutations).
Risk factors that may increase the chance of developing multiple myeloma include:
- Age: over 65 years old
- Gender: men are slightly more likely to develop multiple myeloma
- Family history
- Obesity
- Race: more than twice as common in African Americans than in white Americans
- Having other plasma cell diseases
How Do You Get a Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis?
Your doctor will review your patient history, and you will also submit to a physical examination, as well as blood, urine, and imaging tests in order to be diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
Lab tests used to diagnose multiple myeloma include:
- Blood tests
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Blood chemistry
- Levels of creatinine, albumin, calcium, and other electrolytes
- Quantitative immunoglobulins
- Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels
- Electrophoresis
- Beta-2 microglobulin
- Serum free light chains
- Urine tests
- Biopsies
- Imaging tests
- Bone X-rays
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- Echocardiogram (“echo”) of the heart
A diagnosis of multiple myeloma requires:
- A plasma cell tumor (proven by biopsy) OR at least 10% plasma cells in the bone marrow, AND
- At least one of the following:
- Low red blood cell counts (anemia)
- High blood calcium level
- Poor kidney function
- Increase in one type of light chain in the blood so that one type is 100 times more common than the other
- Holes in the bones from tumor found on imaging studies
- 60% or more plasma cells in the bone marrow
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https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/multiple-myeloma/statistics