Understanding Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that develops in plasma cells within the bone marrow. Abnormal plasma cells can crowd out healthy blood-forming cells, leading to bone damage throughout the body.
The exact cause of multiple myeloma is not known. Some people experience symptoms, while others are diagnosed before symptoms appear. Understanding what to look for and what could increase your risk can help detect multiple myeloma earlier, when it’s easier to treat.
Common Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma
The International Myeloma Foundation suggests remembering the acronym CRAB to help recognize the four most common signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma:
- C: High calcium levels (greater than 10 mg/dL)
- R: Renal (kidney) dysfunction
- A: Anemia
- B: Bone problems
Most of these can be confirmed with a blood test or a bone scan.
High Blood Calcium Levels
Damaged bones can release calcium into the bloodstream, leading to hypercalcemia. This condition may cause symptoms such as mental confusion, extreme thirst, constipation, dehydration, weakness, fatigue, and renal or kidney damage.
Renal Problems in Kidney Damage
Abnormal monoclonal proteins can enter the urine from the bloodstream, leading to kidney damage. Symptoms may include fatigue, mental confusion, and sluggish circulation. A blood test can confirm whether there are proteins present.
Anemia
Anemia (low red blood cell count) can cause weakness, reduced exercise capacity, a rapid heartbeat, leg swelling, headache, chills, shortness of breath, decreased appetite, and dizziness.
Bone Damage
Myeloma cells can both activate and block osteoclasts, resulting in weakened or damaged bones. This can cause pain, swelling, tenderness, fractures, osteoporosis, and in some cases, nerve or spinal cord damage. destroy the bone. They also block osteoblast cells, which repair damaged bones.
If you are experiencing signs of myeloma, please consult your primary care doctor or hematologist to have tests performed to identify the source of your symptoms.
Detecting and Diagnosing Multiple Myeloma
Your HOA hematologist, who also provides treatment for multiple myeloma, will review the results of several blood tests that indicate if myeloma is present. If these come back positive for cancer, they will also run tests to see how far it has progressed.
Tests Used to Diagnose Multiple Myeloma
- Blood and urine tests: Myeloma cells typically produce an antibody known as M protein. Monitoring M protein levels helps doctors determine the extent of the disease and evaluate treatment effectiveness. Additionally, blood tests may measure creatinine, albumin, calcium, and other electrolytes that can indicate multiple myeloma.
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: Since multiple myeloma causes excessive plasma production in the bone marrow, doctors may extract a small sample of bone marrow and bone tissue for analysis. This procedure is usually performed using a needle inserted into the hipbone or breastbone. A biopsy is essential to confirm whether myeloma cells are present in the marrow. Genetic analysis of myeloma cells is performed using cytogenetics and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The liquid portion of the bone marrow, known as the aspirate, may undergo further testing.
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Molecular testing of the cancer cells: Your doctor might suggest running laboratory tests on a sample of the affected bone marrow to identify specific genetic and protein markers unique to the cancer. These results can significantly influence your treatment plan.
- Cytogenetics: This involves studying genetic changes in cells. Regarding myeloma, genetic alterations in plasma cells are assessed using the FISH test to identify standard and high-risk disease.
- Minimal residual disease (MRD): MRD refers to the small number of cancer cells that remain in the body after treatment. A negative MRD test indicates no residual disease, while a positive result suggests that further treatment may be necessary to control the cancer.
Tests to identify the extent of the cancer
- Bone X-rays: X-rays may be performed to detect any fractures or bone thinning caused by myeloma, as the disease can affect your bone health. A comprehensive body X-ray can help identify which bones could be damaged by the myeloma.
- CT Scan or MRI: These images capture detailed pictures of the body, including the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and lymph nodes, from different angles.
- PET/CT scan (positron emission tomography/computed tomography): This technique detects cancer cells in the body and can map bone damage caused by multiple myeloma.
Typically, upon diagnosis, your hematologist, who is also an oncologist, will run several of these tests. The HOA medical oncologists lead the care for multiple myeloma patients. They will take the time to review the results with you, discussing your specific myeloma subtype and its stage. This information affects the multiple myeloma treatment method and timeline.
Comprehensive Multiple Myeloma Care in the Syracuse Area
Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY is committed to providing expert, comprehensive care for patients with multiple myeloma at our comfortable and convenient cancer centers. Our team of blood cancer specialists ensures that each patient has access to state-of-the-art therapies and technologies, including clinical research trials and a wide range of supportive care services.
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with multiple myeloma, the oncologists at HOA will walk you through every step of the treatment process and the plan that’s right for you. Our cancer centers are located in the Syracuse area, where we care for patients in Camillus and all of Onondaga County; Auburn, and the rest of Cayuga County; Cortland County; Herkimer County, Jefferson County – including Watertown; Madison County – including Oneida; Oneida County – including Utica and Verona; and Oswego County – including Fulton and Oswego.
