Multiple myeloma is a tumor of your plasma cells, the white blood cells that make antibodies. The tumor starts in your bone marrow, where blood cells are formed, then spreads out and destroys your bone. According to Charles Linker, M.D., Director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at the University of California, a person with multiple myeloma is usually over 65 years old.
Bone Pain
If you have multiple myeloma, you will usually have bone pain that will not go away. Dr. Linker writes in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment" that bone pain is one of the main presenting complaints, or reasons why someone comes to his physician, to then find out that it is due to multiple myeloma. You will usually have pain in your spine, back, ribs or in the lower part of your neck. X-rays may show lesions in your skull or fractures in your ribs. An MRI may show lesions in your spinal cord. If your spinal cord is affected, you are at risk of having some of your vertebrae collapse. This will cause nerve problems and can result in paraplegia, where you are paralyzed in both of your legs.
Anemia
Your cloned plasma cells are multiplying without control in your bone marrow. This can "crowd out" your red blood cells and not let them form and multiply at their normal level. As explained by Dr. Linker, your plasma cells can take up 20 to 100 percent of your bone marrow. Thus, you can be anemic, feel tired all of the time and look pale.
Reoccurring Bacterial Infections
The plasma cells multiplying in your bone marrow are not letting your neutrophils form and multiply at their normal level. Neutrophils are white blood cells that fight against bacterial infections. You will be especially susceptible to getting infections from bacteria that have capsules. Bacteria use capsules as a weapon against your immune system. S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae are the encapsulated bacteria, or bacteria with capsules, that will usually give you infections. And as clones, your plasma cells are making the same type of antibodies. They will not be making the variety of antibodies needed to respond to infections.
Kidney Failure
Antibodies are made up of light chains and heavy chains. Normal plasma cells will make the normal amount of each one. Cloned plasma cells will not. In multiple myeloma, your plasma cells will make too many light chains and heavy chains. Elizabeth Corwin, PhD, explains in "Handbook of Pathophysiology," that the light chains are referred to as Bence Jones proteins. These proteins will damage your kidneys and could lead to kidney failure.
Amyloidosis
Amyloid is a type of protein. Amyloidosis is the abnormal accumulation of amyloid protein in your tissues and organs. According to James Berenson, M.D., Medical and Scientific Director at the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research, you may also have the problem of amyloidosis if the Bence Jones proteins are deposited in your tissues. If so, you could develop an enlarged liver and an enlarged heart, which could result in congestive heart failure. You may also develop a large tongue and have nerve problems.
References
- "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2009"; Stephen McPhee, M.D., Maxine Papadakis, M.D.; 2009
- "Handbook of Pathophysiology"; Elizabeth Corwin, MSN, PhD, FNP; 2000
- The Merck Manual: Amyloidosis
