Multiple Myeloma Symptoms

Symptoms

Multiple myeloma symptoms can be non-specific and may resemble those of other conditions. Common symptoms include:

• Bone-related symptoms:
  • Bone pain (most common in the back, hips, or ribs)
  • Weakness or numbness in the legs
  • Increased risk of bone fractures
• Anemia-related symptoms:
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale skin
• Infection-related symptoms:
  • Recurring infections
  • Fever
  • Weakness
• Kidney-related symptoms:
  • Kidney damage or failure
  • Fatigue
  • Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
• Other symptoms:
  • High levels of calcium in the blood
  • confusion or changes in mental status
  • Increased thirst and urination
  • Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of multiple myeloma involves a combination of the following tests:

• Blood tests:
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)
  • Blood chemistry tests (e.g., calcium, creatinine, and albumin levels)
  • Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP)
  • Immunofixation
• Urine tests:
  • Urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP)
• Bone marrow tests:
  • Bone marrow biopsy
  • Bone marrow aspiration
• Imaging tests:
  • X-rays
  • Computed Tomography (CT) scans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans
  • Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans
• Other tests:
  • Serum free light chain assay
  • Genetic tests (e.g., fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH))

Treatment Options

Treatment for multiple myeloma usually involves a combination of the following options:

• Chemotherapy:
  • Conventional chemotherapy (e.g., melphalan, cyclophosphamide)
  • Targeted therapy (e.g., bortezomib, carfilzomib)
• Stem cell transplantation:
  • Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT)
  • Allogenic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT)
• Immunotherapy:
  • Monoclonal antibodies (e.g., daratumumab, elotuzumab)
• Supportive care:
  • Bisphosphonates to prevent bone damage
  • Pain management
  • Infection prevention and treatment
  • Blood transfusions
• Novel therapies:
  • Proteasome inhibitors (e.g., ixazomib)
  • HDAC inhibitors (e.g., panobinostat)
  • CAR-T cell therapy

Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma

• Bone pain is the most common symptom, often occurring in the back, hips, or ribs
• Weakness or numbness in the legs are common symptoms
• Increased risk of bone fractures is a major concern
• Fatigue, shortness of breath, and pale skin are signs of anemia
• Recurring infections, fever, and weakness indicate infection-related symptoms
• Kidney damage or failure, fatigue, and swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet are kidney-related symptoms
• High levels of calcium in the blood, confusion or changes in mental status, and increased thirst and urination are other symptoms
• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs can also occur

Diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma

• Blood tests include Complete Blood Count (CBC), blood chemistry tests, Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP), and Immunofixation
• Urine tests involve Urine Protein Electrophoresis (UPEP)
• Bone marrow tests include bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration
• Imaging tests used are X-rays, Computed Tomography (CT) scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans
• Other tests include serum free light chain assay and genetic tests like fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)

Treatment Options for Multiple Myeloma

• Chemotherapy options include conventional chemotherapy (e.g., melphalan, cyclophosphamide) and targeted therapy (e.g., bortezomib, carfilzomib)
• Stem cell transplantation includes Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) and Allogenic Stem Cell Transplantation (allo-SCT)
• Immunotherapy involves monoclonal antibodies (e.g., daratumumab, elotuzumab)
• Supportive care includes bisphosphonates to prevent bone damage, pain management, infection prevention and treatment, and blood transfusions
• Novel therapies include proteasome inhibitors (e.g., ixazomib), HDAC inhibitors (e.g., panobinostat), and CAR-T cell therapy