Because cancer cells don’t have the same life span as normal cells, they accumulate, eventually slowing the production of healthy cells. In the bone marrow, myeloma cells crowd out healthy blood cells, leading to fatigue and an inability to fight infections.
The myeloma cells continue trying to produce antibodies, as healthy plasma cells do, but the myeloma cells produce abnormal antibodies that the body can’t use. Instead, the abnormal antibodies (monoclonal proteins, or M proteins) build up in the body and cause problems such as damage to the kidneys. Cancer cells can also cause damage to the bones that increases the risk of broken bones.
What are the risk factors?
Factors that may increase your risk of multiple myeloma include:
- Getting older – Risk increases as in older, as most people diagnosed in their mid-60s.
- Being a man – Men are more likely to develop the disease than women.
- Being Black – Black people are more likely to develop multiple myeloma than people of other races. The reason is still unclear.
- Genetics – If the immediate family had previously been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, you have an increased risk of the disease.
- Link to monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) – Multiple myeloma almost always starts out as MGUS, so having this condition increases risk.
How is it treated?
According to Cancer.org, patients with active myeloma or light chain amyloidosis are often given a combination of 2 or 3 drugs. The drugs chosen depend on the patient’s health (including their kidney function) and whether a stem cell transplant is planned.
When offered a combination containing bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone, the cocktail can be especially helpful in patients with kidney problems and those whose myeloma cells contain certain high-risk chromosome abnormalities.
Treatment for bone disease (bisphosphonates) as caused by myeloma is often started along with chemo. If the areas of damaged bone continue to cause symptoms, radiation therapy may be used.
Transfusions and stem cell transplants may be part of treatment plans for myeloma patients as well.