Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is cancer of the cells that make plasma in the bone marrow. When these abnormal plasma cells build up in the bone, they can form tumors: a single tumor is a plasmacytoma; more than one is referred to as multiple myeloma. Around 22,000 new cases of multiple myeloma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Survival varies greatly depending on the stage at which the cancer is caught. Multiple myeloma is more common in males, African-Americans, and people over 65. Other risk factors include obesity, occupational exposure to radiation or certain toxins, and family history. Early stages of multiple myeloma may not present symptoms; advanced stages may cause bone damage, kidney failure, anemia, and high calcium levels. The stages of multiple myeloma range from I to III, depending on the presence of certain proteins in the blood. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, drug therapy, biological therapy, radiation, stem cell transplantation, or a combination of these.