Understanding Multiple Myeloma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
What Causes It?
We don’t know exactly what causes myeloma, but some factors are known to increase the risk:
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Age: The risk increases as you get older. Most people are diagnosed around the age of 70. It’s rare in people under 40.
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Gender: Myeloma is slightly more common in men than in women.
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Family history: Having a close relative (like a parent or sibling) with myeloma may increase your risk slightly. However, the overall risk is still low, so family members are not usually tested.
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Lifestyle: Being overweight may increase the risk of developing myeloma.
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Work-related exposure: Some studies suggest that people who work in farming, or in the metal or petroleum industries, might have a slightly higher risk.
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Other medical conditions: A condition called MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) is not cancer, but it can sometimes develop into myeloma. About 1–2% of people with MGUS go on to develop myeloma each year.
There’s no way to fully prevent myeloma, but following general health advice — like eating well and staying active — is always a good idea.
Common Symptoms of Myeloma
Myeloma can cause a variety of symptoms. These may include:
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Anemia: Myeloma can reduce the number of red blood cells by crowding the bone marrow. This can cause symptoms like tiredness, weakness, or shortness of breath.
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Fatigue: Many people with myeloma experience fatigue (extreme tiredness). It can be caused by anemia, the disease itself, treatment side effects, or a combination of these.
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Bone pain: This is the most common symptom. Myeloma cells can damage bones, causing "holes" in the skeleton or thinning of the bones (osteoporosis). Pain is often felt in the back or ribs, and may get worse with movement.
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Spinal changes: If myeloma affects the bones in the spine, they can collapse (compression fractures), leading to height loss over time. In some cases, this can also cause nerve pressure, leading to pain, numbness, or muscle weakness.
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Nerve symptoms: Some people may feel tingling, numbness, or weakness due to nerve damage (called peripheral neuropathy).
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Kidney problems: Myeloma often affects kidney function, usually without noticeable symptoms at first. It is often detected through blood tests.
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High calcium levels (hypercalcemia): When bones break down, calcium is released into the blood. This can cause symptoms like drowsiness, constipation, and further kidney problems.
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Infections and fever: Myeloma weakens the immune system, making infections more likely and harder to fight off. The lungs and upper airways are especially at risk.
How Is It Diagnosed?
If your doctor suspects multiple myeloma, they may recommend:
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Blood tests: To check for abnormal proteins or calcium levels.
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Urine tests: To detect protein produced by myeloma cells.
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Bone marrow biopsy: To examine plasma cells under a microscope.
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Imaging (X-ray, MRI, or CT scan): To look for bone damage.
Did you know? Early diagnosis and regular monitoring can help avoid serious complications like bone fractures or kidney failure.
What Are the Treatment Options?
Significant advances in the treatment of myeloma have greatly improved survival,
but many people still die from the disease each year.
The main goals of treatment are to:
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Eliminate all signs of myeloma.
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Prevent or reverse organ damage by controlling the disease.
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Maintain a good quality of life.
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Relieve pain.
You will together with your doctor decide on the best treatment plan for you. Stem cell (or bone marrow) transplantation is usually the first treatment offered to patients up to around the age of 70. Over 70 this treatment comes with a high risk, and other medications would be offered.
Clinical studies
As part of this process, you may also be encouraged to consider taking part in a clinical study. Clinical studies are research studies that test new treatments. They may involve a new medicine, a new combination of standard treatments, a different dose of an existing drug, or another type of therapy. If you are interested in participating in a study, you can search for and read more about them here.
Living with Multiple Myeloma
A diagnosis of multiple myeloma can be overwhelming, but remember: many people continue to live full, active lives during and after treatment. Regular follow-ups, healthy lifestyle choices, and support from family, friends, or patient organizations can make a big difference.