By definition, multiple myeloma is a blood cancer of plasma cells that build up in the bone marrow. Healthy plasma cells produce antibodies to protect against infections and germs. In multiple myeloma, plasma cells bring contradictory effects on well-being. You may not notice signs initially if the growth is progressive.
What exactly results in multiple myeloma is not clear yet. With this medical condition, healthy plasma cells go through abnormal cell division. Therefore, causing abnormal antibodies known as M proteins (monoclonal proteins). Speak to the leading oncologist in Siliguri for chemotherapy in North Bengal.
MGUS/monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance refers to the presence of abnormal protein (M protein) in the blood. They accumulate in the blood-forming tissues. The higher amounts of M protein in the blood might increase the risk of multiple myeloma, lymphoma, bone fractures, etc.
Signs and symptoms associated with multiple myeloma entail – pain felt in your chest bone, and spine bone, loss of appetite, constipation, nausea, frequent infections, confusion, too much thirst, fatigue, numbness in your legs, weakness, unintended weight loss, etc. Make sure you consult your healthcare provider/general physician early on so that your doctor can prevent further complications and heal your well-being.
Increasing age (age over 60), family history of multiple myeloma (in first-degree relatives), being male, presence of high levels of M-protein in the blood, obesity/excess body weight, and inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis are potential risk factors for multiple myeloma. Some studies showed the link between type 2 diabetes and multiple myeloma, but further research is of need so as to establish a better understanding of the risk.
Myeloma cells make you more vulnerable to infections. You may get frequent infections because myeloma cells now don’t produce healthy antibodies to safeguard the body against germs/bacteria. Kidney failure is a prominent complication of multiple myeloma. It leads to inflammation of the kidney cells, increasing the risk of kidney failure, known as myeloma kidney.
Myeloma kidney may bring about signs like loss of appetite, bone pain, anemia, skeletal pain, low urine flow, increased intratubular calcium, weight loss, urinary tract infections. Let your doctor know if you undergo such symptoms. Such signs don’t pinpoint definite cancerous growth associated with multiple myeloma. Clinical diagnosis is what rules out if there’s any underlying condition.
Anemia is common in patients with multiple myeloma since myeloma cells affect the blood-cell-producing activities of the bone marrow. Shortness of breath, change in appetite, dizziness, chills, rapid heartbeat, lack of energy, fatigue, headache, and swelling of the legs/ankles one may experience. At the same time, multiple myeloma can put you at risk of thinning of bone, bone pain, broken bones, etc. Get promising cancer treatment and chemotherapy in North Bengal.
Tests like blood tests, bone marrow biopsy, bone marrow aspiration, a PET scan, CT scan, X-ray MRI, urine tests, electrophoresis help identify if multiple myeloma is present in your body. Pain medications, steroids, antibiotics, cancer therapy (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy), and stem cell transplant are some treatment options for multiple myeloma.
