Your large bones contain a soft, jelly-like substance at their core called bone marrow, which produces blood cells as needed by the body. Bone marrow also stores immature or precursor blood cells called stem cells. Diseases that affect the bone marrow can also destroy the outer matrix of the bone, releasing calcium into the blood. A bone marrow disease called multiple myeloma is one such illness.
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a bone marrow disease in which white blood cells called plasma cells are manufactured in high amounts and are deformed. Plasma cells play a key role in immune health by producing proteins called antibodies that mark and attack harmful pathogens and substances in the body. In multiple myeloma, plasma cells accumulate uncontrollably and become dysfunctional, producing abnormal antibodies. They also affect the production of other blood cells, depleting the body of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Causes and Symptoms
The exact cause of multiple myeloma is not known, but hereditary factors and exposure to toxic chemicals or radiation may play a role. According to the University of Mississippi Health Care, this disease is more common in men than women and seen more in individuals of African heritage. Patients may experience bone pain and fracture as the disease weakens the bones. If the spine is involved, the nerves can becomes damaged or compressed, causing muscle weakness, numbness and pain. As the blood cells are affected, anemia due to low levels of red blood cells and excess bleeding due to low levels of platelets, can also occur.
Calcium
According to the American Cancer Society, multiple myeloma results in the production of an enzyme or catalyst chemical that controls bone cells, causing the destruction of bone and releasing abnormally high amounts of calcium into the blood. The bones become very painful and fragile, and break easily. The common sites are the back, skull and hips. A diagnostic blood test for this disease measures the levels of calcium. A doctor must assess this and other factors for a correct diagnosis.
Calcium Effects
High levels of blood calcium may result in other adverse effects in the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, excess calcium also causes muscle weakness, joint pain, abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, dehydration, increased thirst, problems with urination, kidney failure and confusion, and, in severe conditions, may result in a coma. Calcium imbalances also affect the cardiac muscles of the heart and can lead to arrhythmias or abnormal heartbeat.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Multiple Myeloma; February 2009
- University of Mississippi Health Care: Myeloma Bone Disease/ Multiple Myeloma
- MedlinePlus: Bone Marrow Diseases;
- American Cancer Society; Multiple Myeloma- How is Multiple Myeloma Diagnosed?; August 2011
- Mayo Clinic; Hypercalcemia; May 2011
