Multiple myeloma (MM), also known as plasma cell myeloma and simply myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that normally produces antibodies.[6] Often, no symptoms are noticed initially.[10]As it progresses, bone pain, anemia, kidney dysfunction, and infections may occur.[10] Complications may include amyloidosis.[3]
The cause of multiple myeloma is unknown.[4] Risk factors include obesity, radiation exposure, family history, and certain chemicals.[5][11][12] Multiple myeloma may develop from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance that progresses to smoldering myeloma.[13] The abnormal plasma cells produce abnormal antibodies, which can cause kidney problems and overly thick blood.[10] The plasma cells can also form a mass in the bone marrow or soft tissue.[10] When one tumor is present, it is called a plasmacytoma; more than one is called multiple myeloma.[10] Multiple myeloma is diagnosed based on blood or urine tests finding abnormal antibodies, bone marrow biopsy finding cancerous plasma cells, and medical imaging finding bone lesions.[6]Another common finding is high blood calcium levels.[6]
Multiple myeloma is considered treatable, but generally incurable.[3] Remissions may be brought about with steroids, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplant.[3] Bisphosphonates and radiation therapyare sometimes used to reduce pain from bone lesions.[3][6]
Globally, multiple myeloma affected 488,000 people and resulted in 101,100 deaths in 2015.[8][9] In the United States, it develops in 6.5 per 100,000 people per year and 0.7% of people are affected at some point in their lives.[7] It usually occurs around the age of 60 and is more common in men than women.[6] It is uncommon before the age of 40.[6] Without treatment, the median survival in the prechemotherapy era was about 7 months. After the introduction of chemotherapy, prognosis improved significantly with a median survival of 24 to 30 months and a 10-year survival rate of 3%. Even further improvements in prognosis have occurred because of the introduction of newer biologic therapies and better salvage options, with median survivals now exceeding 60 to 90 months.[3] With current treatments, survival is usually 4–5 years.[3] The five-year survival rate is about 54%.[7] The word myeloma is from the Greek myelo- meaning "marrow" and -oma meaning "tumor".[14]
| Multiple myeloma | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Plasma cell myeloma, myelomatosis, Kahler's disease, myeloma[1] |
 | |
| Micrograph of a plasmacytoma, H&E stain | |
| Specialty | Hematology and oncology |
| Symptoms | Bone pain, fatigue[2]:653 |
| Complications | Amyloidosis, kidney problems, bone fractures, hyperviscosity syndrome, infections, anemia[3][2]:653 |
| Duration | Long term[3] |
| Causes | Unknown[4] |
| Risk factors | Obesity[5] |
| Diagnostic method | Blood or urine tests, bone marrow biopsy, medical imaging[6] |
| Treatment | Steroids, chemotherapy, thalidomide, stem cell transplant, bisphosphonates, radiation therapy[3][6] |
| Prognosis | Five-year survival rate 54% / life expectancy 6 years (USA)[7] |
| Frequency | 488,200 (affected during 2015)[8] |
| Deaths | 101,100 (2015)[9] |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_myeloma
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