Understanding the symptoms of multiple myeloma and how it’s diagnosed can help you feel more informed and prepared. This section outlines common signs to look out for and explains the tests used to confirm a diagnosis and assess how the disease is affecting the body.
Symptoms
Multiple myeloma can cause a wide range of symptoms, which vary depending on the stage of the disease and the specific organs affected.
Common symptoms include:
Bone Pain
Location: Often felt in the back, ribs, or hips.
Cause: Bone damage or lesions caused by the overgrowth of malignant plasma cells (myeloma cells) in the bone marrow.
Fatigue
Cause: Anemia due to reduced production of normal red blood cells.
Symptoms: Feelings of weakness and tiredness that don’t improve with rest.
Frequent Infections
Cause: Weakened immune system due to reduced production of effective antibodies.
Symptoms: Increased susceptibility to infections like colds, cough, flu, and other illnesses.
Hypercalcemia
Symptoms: Elevated calcium levels in the blood can cause nausea, vomiting, confusion, constipation, excessive thirst, and frequent urination.
Kidney Problems
Symptoms: Swelling in the legs and ankles, reduced urine output, or abnormal bloot tests such as an elevated creatinine levels.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Cause: General systemic effects of the disease.
Abnormal Bleeding or Bruising
Cause: Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) affecting the blood’s ability to clot.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing multiple myeloma involves several tests and procedures to confirm the presence of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow and assess the extent of the disease:
Blood Tests
Serum Protein Electrophoresis: Identifies each patient’s abnormal proteins (M proteins) produced by myeloma cells.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): Measures levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, helping to detect anemia or other blood abnormalities.
Serum Free Light Chain Assay: Measures the levels of free light chains (a part of the M proteins) in the blood.
Imaging Studies
X-rays: Detects bone damage or lesions associated with multiple myeloma.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Provides detailed images of the bone marrow and can detect lesions or tumors that X-rays might miss
CT Scan (Computed Tomography): Offers a more detailed view of bones and other non-bone tissues to identify myeloma-related damage or complications.
Urine Tests
24-Hour Urine Collection: Checks for the presence of Bence Jones proteins, which are free light chains excreted in the urine by myeloma cells.
Additional Tests
PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography): May be used in some cases to assess the location and activity of myeloma throughout the entire body.
Bone Marrow Biopsy
Procedure: Involves taking a small sample of bone marrow from the pelvis or another large bone using a needle.
Purpose: Examines the bone marrow for the presence of abnormal plasma cells and assesses their percentage compared to normal cells.