What is "multiple myeloma"

n. (context pathology English) A cancer of the white blood cells.

n. myeloma that develops in several places at the same time

Multiple myeloma, also known as plasma cell myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsible for producing antibodies. Initially, there are often no symptoms. When advanced, bone pain, bleeding, frequent infections, and anemia may occur. Complications may include amyloidosis.

The cause is generally unknown. Risk factors include drinking alcohol and obesity. The underlying mechanism involves abnormal plasma cells producing abnormal antibodies which can cause kidney problems and overly thick blood. The plasma cells can also form a mass in the bone marrow or soft tissue. When there is only one mass it is known as a plasmacytoma and when there is more than one it is known as multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is diagnosed based on blood or urine tests finding abnormal antibodies, bone marrow biopsy finding cancerous plasma cells, and medical imaging finding bone lesions. Another common finding is high blood calcium levels.

Multiple myeloma is considered treatable but generally incurable. Remissions may be brought about with steroids, chemotherapy, thalidomide or lenalidomide, and stem cell transplant. Bisphosphonates and radiation therapy are sometimes used to reduce pain from bone lesions.

Multiple myeloma affected about 427,000 people in 2013 and resulted in 79,000 deaths. In the United States it develops in 6.5 per 100,000 people per year and 0.7% of people are affected at some point in their life. It usually occurs around the age of 61 and is more common in men than women. Without treatment typical survival is seven months. With current treatments survival is usually 4–5 years. This gives a five year survival rate of about 49%. The word myeloma is from the Greek myelo- meaning "marrow" and -oma meaning "tumor".