Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma, also known as plasma cell myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsible for producing antibodies.^[5] Often, no symptoms are noticed initially.^[1] When advanced, bone pain, bleeding, frequent infections, and anemia may occur.^[1] Complications may include amyloidosis.^[2]

The cause is unknown.^[3] Risk factors include obesity, radiation exposure, family history, and certain chemicals.^{[4] [9][10]} The underlying mechanism involves abnormal plasma cells producing abnormal antibodies which can cause kidney problems and overly thick blood.^[1] The plasma cells can also form a mass in the bone marrow or soft tissue.^[1] When only one mass is present, it is known as a plasmacytoma, while more than one is known as multiple myeloma.^[1] 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.^[5] Another common finding is high blood calcium levels.^[5]

Multiple myeloma is considered treatable, but generally incurable.^[2] Remissions may be brought about with steroids, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplant.^[2] Bisphosphonates and radiation therapy are sometimes used to reduce pain from bone lesions.^[2][5]

Globally, multiple myeloma affected 488,000 people and resulted in 101,100 deaths in 2015.^[7][8] 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.^[6] It usually occurs around the age of 61 and is more common in men than women.^[5] It is uncommon before the age of 40.^[5] Without treatment, typical survival is seven months.^[2] With current treatments, survival is usually 4–5 years.^[2] This gives a five-year survival rate around 49%.^[6] The word myeloma is from the Greek myelo- meaning “marrow” and -oma meaning “tumor”.^[11]

References

1. ^ Jump up to:
   ^{a b c d e f g} “Plasma Cell Neoplasms (Including Multiple Myeloma)—Patient Version”. NCI. Archived from the original on 27 July 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
2. ^ Jump up to:
   ^{a b c d e f g h i} “Plasma Cell Neoplasms (Including Multiple Myeloma) Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version”. NCI. July 29, 2016. Archived from the original on 4 July 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
3. ^ Jump up to:
   ^{a b c} World Cancer Report 2014. World Health Organization. 2014. pp. Chapter 5.13. ISBN 9283204298.
4. ^ Jump up to:
   ^{a b} World Cancer Report 2014. World Health Organization. 2014. pp. Chapter 2.3 and 2.6. ISBN 9283204298.
5. ^ Jump up to:
   ^{a b c d e f g h} Raab MS, Podar K, Breitkreutz I, Richardson PG, Anderson KC (July 2009). “Multiple myeloma”. Lancet. 374 (9686): 324–39. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60221-X. PMID 19541364.
6. ^ Jump up to:
   ^{a b c d e} “SEER Stat Fact Sheets: Myeloma”. NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Archived from the original on 27 July 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
7. ^ Jump up to:
   ^{a b c} GBD 2015 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence, Collaborators. (8 October 2016). “Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015″. Lancet. 388 (10053): 1545–1602. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31678-6. PMC 5055577. PMID 27733282.
8. ^ Jump up to:
   ^{a b c} GBD 2015 Mortality and Causes of Death, Collaborators. (8 October 2016). “Global, regional, and national life expectancy, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes of death, 1980-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015″. Lancet. 388 (10053): 1459–1544. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31012-1. PMC 5388903. PMID 27733281.
9. ^ “Plasma Cell Neoplasms (Including Multiple Myeloma) Treatment”. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
10. ^ Ferri, Fred F. (2013). Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2014 E-Book: 5 Books in 1. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 726. ISBN 0323084311.
11. ^ Diepenbrock, Nancy H. (2011). Quick Reference to Critical Care. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 292. ISBN 9781608314645. Archived from the original on 2016-08-21.

See also

Plasma cell dyscrasia, the spectrum of plasma cell disorders which evolve from benign to malignant conditions

Development of analogs of thalidomide

International Myeloma Foundation

Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

Plasma cell leukemia, an aggressive form of MM

Virtual karyotype

Waldenström macroglobulinemia