Multiple Myeloma Symptoms

Study Notes

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 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 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

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

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)

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