Antibodies are proteins that are made by cells of the immune system to fight bacteria and infection. A very high amount of this protein in the bloodstream, however, can be caused by multiple myeloma. This is a cancer that can also cause anemia because the abnormal cells do not allow the red blood cells to develop.
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a cancer where a type of white blood cell, called the plasma cell, multiplies within the bone marrow, destroying the bone. An estimated 14,600 people are diagnosed with this disease every year, at an average age of 71 years old, according to Gregory Seymour, M.D., clinical fellow in the Division of Cancer Medicine at the University of Texas in the "MD Anderson Manual of Medical Oncology." Scientists do not know what causes this disease but hypothesize that chemicals, radiation and genetics may be involved.
High Protein in the Blood
The plasma cells make antibodies, or proteins that circulate throughout the bloodstream so they can fight against infection. The plasma cells of multiple myeloma are abnormal and because this disease is a cancer, there are many more plasma cells than normal. As a result, there are many abnormal antibodies; that is, many abnormal proteins in the blood. There are five kinds of antibodies. Approximately 55 percent of the antibodies in multiple myeloma are IgG, notes James Berenson, M.D., medical and scientific director of the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research in "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals."
Anemia
All of the blood cells are made within the bone marrow; however, the numerous amount of plasma cells in this disease do not allow the normal amount of red blood cells to develop, as explained in "Williams Hematology" by Frits van Rhee, M.D., Ph.D., director of clinical research at the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy. This is why at least 66 percent of the people with multiple myeloma have anemia at one level or another. The degree of anemia depends on the number of plasma cells. The abnormal plasma cells also release substances that kill developing red blood cells.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of multiple myeloma can include an examination of the bone marrow and X-rays of the bone. A urine protein electrophoresis determines how many abnormal antibody proteins are in the urine in a 24-hour period, while the serum protein electrophoresis sees how many are in the bloodstream. The physician will also check on the level of calcium in the blood, the level of each type of blood cell and do a blood test to check on the kidneys, because the kidneys can be damaged by this disease.
References
- "MD Anderson Manual of Medical Oncology"; Hagop Kantarjian, M.D., Robert Wolff, M.D., Charles Koller, M.D.; 2006
- "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals"; Multiple Myeloma; James Berenson, M.D.; 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Multiple Myeloma -- Overview; David Dugdale, III, M.D.; 2009
- "Williams Hematology"; Marshall Lichtman, M.D., Thomas Kipps, M.D. et al.; 2010
