| General Multiple Myeloma Information: | | | | The plasma cells of multiple myeloma |
| | | | proliferate (multiply) in an uncontrolled |
| Multiple Myeloma is part of a spectrum of | | | | way. Normal plasma cells also proliferate as |
| diseases labeled Plasma Cell Dyscrasia. | | | | they go from early immature forms to that of |
| Plasma cells are the cells responsible for | | | | the fully functional cell, principally when |
| forming antibodies against bacteria and | | | | they are stimulated to produce antibodies |
| foreign proteins. For reasons that are | | | | following exposure to an antigen. This |
| unclear, these cells lose their ability to | | | | cell-antigen interaction occurs outside the |
| respond to controlling signals from a | | | | marrow (eg in lymph glands) and is controlled |
| hierarchy of immune cells. Plasma cells then | | | | by chemicals called cytokines secreted by |
| divide and form abnormal proteins, which | | | | other cells. |
| results in damage to the bone, the bone | | | | |
| marrow, and/or other organs of the body. | | | | Cells such as lymphocytes, bone marrow |
| | | | stromal cells, other plasma cells, and the |
| Staging and classification of Multiple | | | | cells which make and break down bone |
| Myeloma | | | | (osteoclasts and osteoblasts) all play a part |
| | | | in controlling this process and the |
| These tests can help confirm whether you have | | | | consequent plasma cell proliferation but in a |
| multiple myeloma or another condition. If | | | | healthy person the controlling process works |
| tests indicate you have multiple myeloma, the | | | | perfectly. In multiple myeloma, abnormal |
| results from these tests allow your doctor to | | | | cells circulate and then settle in the marrow |
| classify the stage of myeloma. Stages range | | | | or other parts of the skeleton, where they |
| from Stage I (fewer myeloma cells) to Stage | | | | proliferate. |
| III (more myeloma cells) and can be further | | | | |
| classified as A (normal kidney function) or B | | | | General Features of Multiple Myeloma |
| (abnormal kidney function) - as multiple | | | | |
| myeloma often causes damage to your kidneys. | | | | Common to nearly all cancers are symptoms |
| | | | such as loss of appetite, weight loss and |
| The Cancer Process of Multiple Myeloma | | | | lack of energy. |
| | | | |
| Our concept of bone marrow cancer is that it | | | | About 10 per cent of Multiple Myeloma |
| is a multi-step process, involving multiple | | | | patients have no symptoms, but are diagnosed |
| alterations to cells, which turn into cancer | | | | incidentally either following a health screen |
| cells. | | | | or as a result of tests undertaken as part of |
| | | | investigation for unrelated conditions. |