Understanding Multiple Myeloma: Key Symptoms and Indicators
This article explores the key signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma, including bone pain, fractures, infections, kidney failure, and anemia. Understanding these indicators can facilitate early detection and management of the disease. The article details how this bone marrow cancer alters bone structure, weakens immunity, and impairs kidney function, emphasizing the importance of timely diagnosis.
Recognizing the Signs of Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a cancer originating in the bone marrow, characterized by uncontrolled growth of plasma cells. Common symptoms include:
Persistent bone pain and fractures
The hallmark symptom is bone discomfort, especially in the ribs and back. The pain often worsens with movement, and persistent pain may indicate bone fractures caused by disease progression.
Healthy bones rely on a balance between osteoclasts (which break down old bone) and osteoblasts (which build new bone). Multiple myeloma triggers substances that cause osteoclasts to overact, leading to excessive bone destruction, while osteoblast activity diminishes. As a result, bones become weakened and develop lytic areas—spots of bone loss—commonly affecting the skull, spine, pelvis, ribs, and clavicles. This disruption causes calcium to leak into the bloodstream, leading to hypercalcemia and potential spinal collapse.
Increased bone destruction releases calcium into blood circulation, contributing to this condition. When vertebrae weaken or collapse, spinal cord compression might occur, presenting additional health risks.
Increased risk of infections
Due to compromised immunity, individuals with multiple myeloma are often susceptible to lung infections like pneumonia and kidney infections such as pyelonephritis. The disease impairs antibody production, reducing the body's ability to combat pathogens, hence increasing infection risk.
Kidney damage and failure
High calcium and uric acid levels, along with infections, threaten renal function in multiple myeloma patients. Damaged kidneys lose their ability to retain essential nutrients, leading to loss of glucose and amino acids in urine. This impairs energy availability, hinders urine concentration, and acidification, complicating overall health.
Development of anemia
As the cancer spreads within bone marrow, production of blood cells diminishes, resulting in anemia. The surge of abnormal substances further disrupts marrow function. Symptoms include pallor, fatigue, increased susceptibility to infections, and easy bruising due to low white cells and platelets.
