Understanding Multiple Myeloma: Symptoms and Risk Factors

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer characterized by abnormal plasma cell growth, leading to symptoms like bone pain, anemia, and kidney issues. Risk factors include age, race, genetics, and environmental exposures. Early detection and management are crucial for improving patient outcomes. This article highlights symptoms, causes, and risk factors to aid in awareness and timely diagnosis.

Understanding Multiple Myeloma: Symptoms and Risk Factors

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that originates from abnormal plasma cell growth. These malignant cells produce excessive immunoglobulins, which can harm bones and circulate in the blood, increasing risks of autoimmune issues, allergies, and infections. The disease often causes bone damage, known as lytic lesions, and presents with symptoms summarized by the acronym CRAB: calcium buildup, renal impairment, anemia, and bone lesions.

While there is no cure, treatments can effectively control symptoms and improve quality of life.

Symptoms

Early signs of multiple myeloma include symptoms such as high calcium levels, kidney problems, anemia, and bone pain. Recognizing these signs promptly can lead to earlier diagnosis and management.

High Calcium Levels

Bone damage from lytic lesions releases calcium into the bloodstream, causing symptoms like extreme thirst, nausea, vomiting, and digestive issues. Elevated calcium can also lead to mental confusion and fatigue.

Kidney Complications

Excess immunoglobulins may impair kidney function, leading to reduced urine output, swelling in the legs and feet, and persistent fatigue. Damage to the kidneys can also cause difficulty breathing and nausea.

Anemia

As blood cancer, multiple myeloma hampers red blood cell production, resulting in dizziness, weakness, and irritability. Treatments like chemotherapy can further lower red blood cell levels.

Bone Damage

Cancerous plasma cells invade bones, causing pain, fractures, and tenderness, especially in the skull, spine, pelvis, hips, and ribs. The severity varies based on disease progression.

Additional Signs

Symptoms such as weakness, numbness, vision problems, and recurrent infections result from immune system interference and resource competition among abnormal cells.

Causes and Risk Factors

The precise cause of multiple myeloma is unknown, but genetic, environmental, and internal factors contribute. Age is a primary risk factor, predominantly affecting individuals over 65, with men being more vulnerable. Race also influences risk, being twice as common among African Americans and those of Middle Eastern or Mediterranean descent.

Genetics play a role, especially if there is a family history. Pre-existing blood conditions like MGUS increase the likelihood of developing multiple myeloma. Environmental exposure to chemicals like benzene or radiation may also elevate risk in rare cases.