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What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a cancer formed by malignant plasma cells. Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system.
The immune system is composed of several types of cells that work together to fight infections and other diseases. Lymphocytes (lymph cells) are the main cell type of the immune system. There are 2 major types of lymphocytes: T cells and B cells.
When B cells respond to an infection, they mature and change into plasma cells. Plasma cells make the antibodies (also called immunoglobulins) that help the body attack and kill germs. Lymphocytes can be found in many areas of the body, such as lymph nodes, the bone marrow, the intestines, and the bloodstream. Plasma cells, however, are mainly found in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside some hollow bones. In addition to plasma cells, normal bone marrow has cells that make the different normal blood cells.
When plasma cells become cancerous and grow out of control, they can produce a tumor called a plasmacytoma.These tumors generally develop in a bone, but they are also rarely found in other tissues. If there is only a single plasma cell tumor, it is called an isolated (or solitary) plasmacytoma. When there is more than one plasma cell tumor, it is called multiple myeloma.
In multiple myeloma, the overgrowth of plasma cells in the bone marrow can crowd out normal blood-forming cells, leading to low blood counts. This can cause anemia — a shortage of red blood cells. People with anemia become pale, weak, and fatigued. Multiple myeloma can also cause the level of platelets in the blood to become low (calledthrombocytopenia). This can lead to increased bleeding and bruising. Another condition that can develop is leukopenia— a shortage of normal white blood cells. This can lead to problems fighting infections.
Myeloma cells also interfere with cells that help keep the bones strong. Bones are constantly being remade to keep them strong. Two major kinds of bone cells normally work together to keep bones healthy and strong. The cells that lay down new bone are called osteoblasts. The cells that break down old bone are called osteoclasts. Myeloma cells make a substance that tells the osteoclasts to speed up dissolving the bone. Since the osteoblasts do not get a signal to put down new bone, old bone is broken down without new bone to replace it. This makes the bones weak and they break easily. Fractured bones are a major problem in people with myeloma. This increase in bone break-down can also raise calcium levels in the blood (problems caused by high calcium levels are discussed in the section “How is multiple myeloma diagnosed?”).
Abnormal plasma cells do not protect the body from infections. As mentioned before, normal plasma cells produce antibodies that attack germs. For example, if you developed pneumonia, normal plasma cells would produce antibodies aimed at the specific bacteria that were causing the illness. These antibodies help the body attack and kill the bacteria. In multiple myeloma, the myeloma cells crowd out the normal plasma cells, so that antibodies to fight the infection can’t be made. The antibody made by the myeloma cells does not help fight infections. That is because the myeloma cells are just many copies of the same plasma cell —- all making copies of the same exact (or monoclonal) antibody.
The antibody made by myeloma cells can harm the kidneys. This can lead to kidney damage and even kidney failure.
Having many copies of the same antibody is known as a monoclonal gammopathy. This condition can be found with a blood test. Having a monoclonal gammopathy does not mean you have multiple myeloma. It occurs in other diseases, such as Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia and light chain amyloidosis. Also, some people have a monoclonal gammopathy but it does not cause problems like multiple myeloma does. This condition is called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Some people with MGUS go on to develop multiple myeloma or other diseases.
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
In monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), abnormal plasma cells produce excess amounts of a monoclonal antibody protein. However, these plasma cells do not form an actual tumor or mass and do not cause any of the other problems seen in multiple myeloma. MGUS usually does not affect a person's health. In particular, it doesn't cause weak bones, high calcium levels, kidney problems, or low blood counts. It is most often found because a routine blood test finds a high level of protein in the blood and further testing shows the protein is a monoclonal antibody. In MGUS, the number of plasma cells may be increased, but they still make up less than 10% of the cells in the bone marrow.
Over time, many people with MGUS eventually develop multiple myeloma, lymphoma, or a disease called amyloidosis. This happens at a rate of about 1% (of people with MGUS) per year. The risk is higher in people whose protein levels are particularly high. Patients with MGUS don't need treatment, but they are watched closely to see if they get a disease that does need to be treated, such as multiple myeloma.
Recently, scientists have studied the genes of the plasma cells in patients with MGUS. They found that the genetic make-up of these plasma cells resembles myeloma plasma cells more than it resembles that of normal plasma cells. This suggests that these cells are truly malignant, not just slow growing. Because, in general, people with MGUS are elderly, they may not live long enough for it to transform into myeloma.
Solitary plasmacytomas
This is another type of abnormal plasma cell growth. Rather than many tumors in different locations as in multiple myeloma, there is only one tumor, hence the name solitary plasmacytomas.
Most often, a solitary plasmacytoma develops in a bone, where it may be called an isolated plasmacytoma of bone. When a plasmacytoma starts in other tissues (such as the lungs or the lining of the sinuses, throat, or other organs), it is called an extramedullary plasmacytoma. Solitary plasmacytomas are most often treated with radiation therapy. Sometimes surgery may be used for a single extramedullary plasmacytoma. As long as no other plasmacytomas are found later on, the patient's outlook is usually excellent. However, since many people with a solitary plasmacytoma will develop multiple myeloma, these people are watched closely for signs of this disease.
What are the key statistics about multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon cancer. In the United States, the lifetime risk of getting multiple myeloma is 1 in 149 (0.67%).
The American Cancer Society's estimates for multiple myeloma in the United States for 2013 are:
- About 22,350 new cases will be diagnosed (12,440 in men and 9,910 in women).
- About 10,710 deaths are expected to occur (6,070 in men and 4,640 in women).
Last Medical Review: 01/15/2013
Last Revised: 02/12/2013