Multiple myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow, is the second most common blood cancer after non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Approximately 75 percent of those diagnosed are over age 70. Although some patients have no symptoms, the most common symptoms affect bone, blood and the nervous system.
Bone Pain
Myeloma develops from abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow. When cells become cancerous, they grow out of control, crowding out other cell types and invading bone, which can be painful. They can also spread into open spaces in the large bones to form tumors. At the same time, the myeloma cells give off substances that disrupt normal bone repair, resulting in painful soft spots in the bone, that easily fracture. Any bone may be affected, but pain in the bones in the back, the hips, and skull is particularly common.
Extreme Tiredness
Plasma cells make up about 5 percent of all cells in bone marrow. When they become cancerous, myeloma cells can compose as much as 30 percent of bone marrow. Normal blood-forming marrow cells are crowded out, resulting in shortages of red and white blood cells, and platelets. The American Cancer Society says low red blood cell counts cause anemia, resulting in extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness. Too few white blood cells causes leucopenia, resulting in reduced resistance to infections, and too few platelets, called thrombocytopenia, results in bruising and bleeding that is difficult to stop.
Extreme Thirst
When the myeloma cells erode bone, calcium levels in the blood rise resulting in a condition called hypercalcemia. Symptoms include extreme thirst, which may lead to excessive consumption of fluids and frequent urination. This can lead to dehydration and even kidney failure, according to the American Cancer Society. High calcium levels can also cause persistent constipation and loss of appetite. Other symptoms include severe weakness, drowsiness and confusion. Very high levels of calcium can result in a coma.
Infections
Myeloma cells produce non-functional antibodies, called monoclonal or M proteins, that reduce normal, functioning antibodies, making the body to be less able to fight infection. The American Cancer Society says multiple myeloma patients are about 15 times more likely to get infections. Because infection-fighting white blood cells are reduced, myeloma patients often take much longer to overcome infections and are especially vulnerable to pneumonia.
Numbness and Tingling in Hands and Feet
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation reports that people with a certain kind of myeloma can develop amyloidosis. This results in formation of a starch-like substance that damages tissues and organs. Damage to nerve cells produces tingling and numbness in the hands and feet. When myeloma weakens the spine, the vertebrae can compress and pinch spinal nerves. This causes sudden severe pain, numbness and/or muscle weakness. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
Confusion and Stroke-like Symptoms
In some patients, large amounts of myeloma protein can cause the blood to "thicken." This thickening, called hyperviscosity, can slow blood flow to the brain and cause confusion, dizziness and stroke-like symptoms. The protein can be removed from the blood by a procedure called plasmapheresis, which rapidly reverse this problem.
Kidney Problems
Myeloma protein can damage the kidneys, and high levels of calcium in the blood interfere with the kidneys ability to filter blood, according to MayoClinic.com. This can lead to symptoms like weakness and leg swelling and eventually can lead to kidney failure.
