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