Multiple myeloma is a condition in which healthy plasma cells become cancerous, multiply and
produce abnormal antibodies called M protein. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cells that make
antibodies to fight infection. With multiple myeloma, plasma cells develop errors and build up in the
bone marrow. It is a rare condition of blood cancer that targets the plasma cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most common symptom is pain in bones (back, head, chest or pelvis). Fatigue and weakness,
frequently falling sick, numbness in limbs, unexplained weight loss, nausea and vomiting are other
signs of multiple myeloma.
While the exact causes of multiple myeloma are medically unclear, the root tends to point towards
some gene mutation in the plasma cells. There are certain risk factors that lead to it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Multiple myeloma is staged between 1 to 3, depending upon the aggressiveness and severity of the Once the results from these tests arrive and the oncologist determines the stage of multiple
disease. The stage is determined by blood tests (beta-2 microglobulin, albumin, LDH), chromosome
analysis, and imaging in patients. This is to assess the burden of tumour present. Higher stages
indicate more aggressive and rapid growth of cancer cells.
Stage 1<\/strong> is categorised with lower levels of beta-2 microglobulin and relatively normal albumin levels,
indicating a slower growth
Stage 2<\/strong> has intermediate levels of beta-2 microglobulin and lower albumin levels
Stage 3<\/strong> has higher levels of beta-2 microglobulin which indicates that the growth is rapid and disease
has become aggressive. This calls for an immediate intervention
Several tests are conducted to diagnose multiple myeloma and asses what stage the patient is at \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
M protein. They may also indicate any signs of tumour<\/li>\n\n\n\n
become important<\/li>\n\n\n\n
plasma cells<\/li>\n\n\n\n
myeloma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nTreatment of multiple myeloma<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
myeloma, treatment procedures and planned and mapped out \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
ones. Stem cells enable the production of healthy new plasma cells in the bone marrow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
done before stem cell transplant for an effective result. Radiation in addition with
chemotherapy kills cancer cells<\/li>\n\n\n\n