Multiple myeloma: Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis

Posted By Suborna Fermi Posted on Apr 10, 2025

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that occurs when the healthy plasma cells turn into abnormal cells and produce abnormal antibodies. These changes in the plasma cells can cause a range of medical issues and affect the bone marrow, kidneys, and the body’s ability to produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Although this condition cannot be cured completely, the treatment can reduce the symptoms and slow down its progress.

What is multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that impacts the plasma cells. Plasma cells are white blood cells and are a part of the immune system. This condition happens when the healthy plasma cells become abnormal cells that multiply and produce abnormal antibodies called M proteins. The changes in the plasma cells cause a range of complexities, and affect the bone marrow, kidneys, and body’s ability to produce healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.

What are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?

Although multiple myeloma may cause several symptoms, bone pain is the most common one. Other symptoms may include:

• Weakness or numbness in the arm or legs
• Unexplained fever
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss
• Reduced appetite
• Increased thirst
• Easy bruising
• Confusion

What causes multiple myeloma?

Healthcare providers and researchers are not sure what causes multiple myeloma. Some possible causes may include:

• Genetic mutation: Researchers are examining the link between that changing or mutating oncogenes and multiple myeloma. It is also discovered that people with multiple myeloma do not have all elements of certain chromosomes.
• Environmental factors: Certain studies have also found that exposure to radiation or chemicals in fertilizer and pesticides, can contribute to developing multiple myeloma.
• Health conditions: Having obesity and inflammatory diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis can also contribute to multiple myeloma.

How do doctors diagnose multiple myeloma?

Healthcare professionals do a physical exam, ask about your symptoms, and your family health history to diagnose multiple myeloma. However, they may order certain diagnostic tests to confirm a diagnosis. They may order:

• Complete blood count: This test measures the amounts of red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin and other blood components.
• Blood chemistry test: This test measures the levels of creatine, albumin, calcium and lactic dehydrogenase levels (which is a tumour marker).
• Electrophoresis: This test looks for the presence of M protein in blood.
• Quantitative immunoglobulin test: This test measures the amount of certain antibodies in the blood.
• Urine test: This test looks for the presence of Bence Jones protein, or other signs of multiple myeloma.
• X-rays: X-rays are used to look for damages in bones caused by multiple myeloma.
• CT scan: It is also used to look for damages in the bones.
• MRI: MRIs are used to look for plasmacytomas, which are single groups of abnormal plasma cells.
• PET scan: It is also used to look for plasmacytomas.
• Bone marrow biopsy: Bone marrow biopsy is used to examine the ratio of normal and abnormal plasma cells in your bone marrow. It is also used to test your bone marrow sample for changes in the DNA that may contribute to cancer.

Medical professionals treat multiple myeloma depending on your symptoms and how far the condition has progressed. Multiple myeloma cannot be completely cured. However, the doctors may use antibiotics, steroids, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplant to reduce the symptoms, and slow down the disease’s progress.