| This subject is very close to my heart as my Father | | | | Most of the medical problems related to myeloma |
| died of multiple myeloma. When he first started | | | | are caused by the build up of myeloma cells in the |
| feeling ill,my father`s Doctor thought it was gout. And | | | | bone marrow and the presence of the paraprotein in |
| by the time he was finally diagnosed correctly, the | | | | the blood or in the urine. Common problems are bone |
| symptoms were to far gone to save him. At that | | | | pain, bone fractures, tiredness (due to anaemia), |
| time not a lot was known about myeloma, but this is | | | | frequent or recurrent infections (such as bacterial |
| changing fast as new research is discovering more | | | | pneumonia, urinary tract infections and shingles), |
| about this deadly illness. | | | | kidney damage and hypercalcaemia. |
| One of the leading Myeloma charities is Myeloma UK. | | | | Some people go on to develop myeloma after having |
| They offer information and support for sufferers and | | | | been diagnosed with a benign (non-malignant) |
| they also raise money for research into Myeloma. To | | | | condition called MGUS which stands for Monoclonal |
| visit their website click here | | | | Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance. This term |
| So what is myeloma? Maybe this article can help. | | | | describes the condition of the raised abnormal protein |
| Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, is a type | | | | seen in myeloma (the paraprotein), but where there |
| of bone marrow cancer arising from plasma cells, | | | | are no other features of the disease (less than 10% |
| which are normally found in the bone marrow. Plasma | | | | plasma cells in bone marrow and no evidence of bone |
| cells form part of your immune system. | | | | disease). |
| Normal plasma cells produce antibodies (also called | | | | The risk of transition from MGUS to active myeloma |
| immunoglobulins) to help fight infection. In myeloma, | | | | is very low; only a 1% chance each year of follow-up. |
| the abnormal plasma cells release only one type of | | | | Even if the myeloma cells are at a higher level of |
| antibody known as paraprotein which has no useful | | | | 10-30% of the total bone marrow, the growth rate |
| function. It is often through the measurement of this | | | | can be very slow and represent indolent / |
| paraprotein that myeloma is diagnosed and | | | | smouldering or asymptomatic myeloma. Both these |
| monitored. | | | | conditions can change very slowly over a period of |
| Bone marrow is the 'spongy' material found in the | | | | years and do not require active treatment. It is very |
| centre of larger bones in the body (see below). As | | | | important to establish the correct diagnosis |
| well as being home to plasma cells, the bone marrow | | | | distinguishing MGUS and indolent myeloma from active |
| is the centre of blood cell production (red blood cells, | | | | or symptomatic myeloma, which does require |
| white blood cells and platelets). | | | | treatment. |
| In myeloma, the DNA of a plasma cell is damaged | | | | There have been many new developments in the |
| causing it to become malignant or cancerous. These | | | | treatment and management of myeloma over the |
| abnormal plasma cells are known as myeloma cells. | | | | last few years that have had a significant impact on |
| Unlike many cancers, myeloma does not exist as a | | | | the way myeloma is treated. Research is on-going to |
| lump or tumour. Instead, the myeloma cells normally | | | | develop new treatments and to use existing |
| divide and expand within the bone marrow. | | | | treatments in a better, more effective way. Many of |
| Myeloma affects multiple (hence multiple myeloma) | | | | the current and new developments are discussed in |
| places in the body where bone marrow is normally | | | | this section. |
| active in an adult, i.e. within the bones of the spine, | | | | Treatments for myeloma can be very effective at |
| skull, pelvis, the rib cage, and the areas around the | | | | halting its progress, controlling the symptoms, and |
| shoulders and hips. The areas usually not affected are | | | | improving quality of life, but they are not able to cure |
| the extremities: that is the hands, feet, and lower | | | | it. Even after successful treatment, regular monitoring |
| arm / leg regions. This is very important since the | | | | is needed in case the myeloma comes back. |
| function of these critical areas is usually fully retained. | | | | |