Multiple Myeloma, also known as Kahler’s disease, is a form of cancer that targets white blood cells, specifically plasma cells within the body (Ratini, 2023). Typically, these cells prevent infection by creating proteins known as immunoglobulin antibodies, which go on to destroy bacteria and viruses that may be present in the body (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023). However, for patients afflicted with multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells rapidly multiply and eventually crowd out the healthy blood cells in the bone marrow (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023). These abnormal cells will create a mutated form of the correct antibody proteins (known as monoclonal or M proteins), releasing a chemical into the bloodstream to trigger other cells to eat away at bone marrow instead of viruses. This leads to weak areas known as lytic lesions (Ratini, 2023). Over time, these cancerous plasma cells will spill out of the bone marrow and spread to the rest of the body, causing organ damage throughout (Ratini, 2023). 

 

While multiple myeloma may not present symptoms during the early phases of its progression when they do occur later on, symptoms can include (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023):

 

• Bone pain (particularly around the spine, chest and hips)

• Infections

• Mental confusion

• Weight loss

• Frequent urination 

 

Currently, there is no definitive conclusion as to what causes multiple myeloma. It begins when an unknown trigger causes a healthy plasma cell to become cancerous, and ignore signals for cell death (also known as apoptosis) (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023). This will lead to the cascading progression described above, where these cancerous cells will overcrowd the bone marrow. While there are no known causes, there are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of someone developing multiple myeloma, which include (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023):

 

Being diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) (Canadian Cancer Society, n.d.) 

• Being over the age of 65

• Being male

• Being of African-American descent 

• Having a family history of the disease 

 

If a patient is suspected of having multiple myeloma, based on their symptoms and family history, healthcare practitioners will typically order a complete blood count (CBC) or blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine test (Ratini, 2023). Depending on the results of these diagnostic tests, practitioners may recommend a range of treatments, from targeted therapy involving medications that attack specific chemicals to CAR-T therapy, which involves retraining the immune system to recognize and attack multiple myeloma (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023). 

 

While multiple myeloma is a serious condition with afflictions that impact the entire body, by working with a team of healthcare practitioners, a reasonable treatment plan can be created. 

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Reference: 

Canadian Cancer Society. (n.d.). What is multiple myeloma? https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/multiple-myeloma/what-is-multiple-myeloma   

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, September 2). Multiple myeloma. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-myeloma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353383 

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, September 2). Multiple myeloma. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-myeloma/symptoms-causes/syc-20353378#:~:text=Overview,build%20up%20in%20bone%20marrow  

Ratini, M. (2023, May 30). Multiple myeloma: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/cancer/multiple-myeloma/multiple-myeloma-symptoms-causes-treatment