Myelomatosis

Myelomatosis (also known as Multiple Myeloma) is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Plasma cells help fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs. Myelomatosis causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow, where they crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause complications.

Symptoms

The symptoms of myelomatosis can vary and early in the disease there may be none. When signs and symptoms do occur, they can include:

• Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Mental fogginess or confusion
• Fatigue
• Frequent infections
• Weight loss
• Weakness or numbness in your legs
• Excessive thirst

Causes

The cause of myelomatosis is not known. However, it begins with one abnormal plasma cell in your bone marrow — the soft, blood-producing tissue that fills in the center of most of your bones. The abnormal cell multiplies rapidly.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for myelomatosis include:

• Age: Most people diagnosed with myelomatosis are in their 60s or 70s.
• Sex: Men are more likely to develop the disease than are women.
• Race: Black people are about twice as likely to develop myelomatosis as are white people.
• History of a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Each year 1% of the people with MGUS in the United States develop multiple myeloma.

Treatment

Treatment of myelomatosis is focused on therapies that decrease the disease progression and improve the person's life. Treatments include medications, chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, radiation, or surgery.

See Also

• Plasma cell
• Bone marrow
• Cancer
• Chemotherapy
• Stem cell transplantation

Myelomatosis Resources
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