Myeloma
What Is Myeloma?
Myeloma is literally an "oma," or tumor, involving the "myelo," or blood producing cells in the bone marrow. The cells that are affected are plasma cells (a type of white blood cell), which are our antibody- (immunoglobulin-) producing cells. A malignant or cancerous plasma cell is called a myeloma cell. Myeloma is called "multiple" since there are frequently multiple patches or areas in the bones where tumors or lesions have developed. A single lesion is called a solitary plasmacytoma.
Myeloma affects the places where bone marrow is normally active in an adult. This marrow is in the hollow area within the bones of the spine, skull, and pelvic bones, the rib cage, and the areas around the shoulders and hips. The areas usually not affected are the extremities: that is the hands, feet, and lower arm/leg regions. This is very important since the function of these critical areas is usually fully retained.
Myeloma can be discovered at a precancerous stage. In some cases the myeloma cells build up very slowly in the bone marrow. The very earliest stage is called MGUS. This is not a cancer, but a condition called Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance. In MGUS, the myeloma cells constitute fewer than 10% of the bone marrow cells. The risk of transition from MGUS to active myeloma is very low: only a 1% chance each year of follow-up. Even if the myeloma cells are at a higher level of 10-30% of the total bone marrow, the growth rate can be very slow and represent indolent/smoldering or asymptomatic myeloma. Both MGUS and indolent myeloma can change very slowly over a period of years and do not require active treatment. It is very important to establish the correct diagnosis distinguishing MGUS and indolent myeloma from active or symptomatic myeloma, which does require treatment. Read More
Myeloma is literally an "oma," or tumor, involving the "myelo," or blood producing cells in the bone marrow. The cells that are affected are plasma cells (a type of white blood cell), which are our antibody- (immunoglobulin-) producing cells. A malignant or cancerous plasma cell is called a myeloma cell. Myeloma is called "multiple" since there are frequently multiple patches or areas in the bones where tumors or lesions have developed. A single lesion is called a solitary plasmacytoma.
Myeloma affects the places where bone marrow is normally active in an adult. This marrow is in the hollow area within the bones of the spine, skull, and pelvic bones, the rib cage, and the areas around the shoulders and hips. The areas usually not affected are the extremities: that is the hands, feet, and lower arm/leg regions. This is very important since the function of these critical areas is usually fully retained.
Myeloma can be discovered at a precancerous stage. In some cases the myeloma cells build up very slowly in the bone marrow. The very earliest stage is called MGUS. This is not a cancer, but a condition called Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance. In MGUS, the myeloma cells constitute fewer than 10% of the bone marrow cells. The risk of transition from MGUS to active myeloma is very low: only a 1% chance each year of follow-up. Even if the myeloma cells are at a higher level of 10-30% of the total bone marrow, the growth rate can be very slow and represent indolent/smoldering or asymptomatic myeloma. Both MGUS and indolent myeloma can change very slowly over a period of years and do not require active treatment. It is very important to establish the correct diagnosis distinguishing MGUS and indolent myeloma from active or symptomatic myeloma, which does require treatment. Read More