Does multiple myeloma come on suddenly?

The bone damage associated with multiple myeloma occurs mostly in the rib cage, spine and pelvis, increasing the risk of spinal cord compression, which causes pain, numbness or weakness in the limbs and requires immediate treatment. It may come on gradually or suddenly.

How quickly can myeloma develop?

The risk of myeloma progressing is highest in the first 5 years after diagnosis. About 50 out of 100 people (50%) with smouldering myeloma develop symptoms and need treatment within the first 5 years. However, after 5 years the risk decreases and some people never develop symptoms or need treatment.

What is usually the first symptom of multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma causes many symptoms, but bone pain often is the first symptom people notice. Other symptoms include: Weakness in your arms and legs and/or a sensation of numbness in your arms and legs. Multiple myeloma can affect the bones in your spine, causing them to collapse and press on your spinal cord.

Can you have multiple myeloma for years without knowing?

Some people have multiple myeloma for months or years before they even know they're sick. This earliest phase is called smoldering multiple myeloma. When you have it, you won't have any symptoms, but your test results will show: At least 10% to 59% of your bone marrow is made up of cancerous plasma cells.

What triggers myeloma?

What Are Its Causes? Exposure to toxic chemicals, atomic radiation, anything that interferes with the immune system, or infection with cancer-causing viruses, may potentially be linked to the developing myeloma.

What Are The Stages Of Multiple Myeloma?

When should I suspect myeloma?

Signs and symptoms

It's often only suspected or diagnosed after a routine blood or urine test. However, myeloma will eventually cause a wide range of problems, including: a persistent dull ache or specific areas of tenderness in your bones. weak bones that break (fracture) easily.

Who typically gets multiple myeloma?

Your risk of multiple myeloma increases as you age, with most people diagnosed in their mid-60s. Male sex. Men are more likely to develop the disease than are women. Black race.

How do you rule out multiple myeloma?

What age is myeloma most common?

adults over 60 – most cases are diagnosed at around the age of 70, and cases affecting people under the age of 40 are rare. black people – multiple myeloma is about twice as common in black populations than white and Asian populations.

Can myeloma be missed in a blood test?

Blood tests, biopsies, imaging, and other tools can detect this blood cancer, which is sometimes overlooked. Multiple myeloma can be challenging to diagnose, and many patients go without the right medical care for too long.

What is the most prominent symptom of multiple myeloma?

Major symptoms of multiple myeloma may include bone pain, especially in the back and the ribs; low levels of circulating red blood cells (anemia) resulting in weakness, fatigue, and lack of color (pallor); and kidney (renal) abnormalities.

What is the hallmark symptom of multiple myeloma?

The hallmark symptom of multiple myeloma is bone pain. It often occurs in the back, the hips, and sometimes the skull. Some patients may experience pain that is worse at night, which disrupts their sleep. When you have multiple myeloma, your bones may easily break.

What are the red flags for multiple myeloma?

High blood levels of calcium

Extreme thirst, leading to drinking a lot. Urinating (peeing) a lot. Dehydration. Kidney problems and even kidney failure.

Where does myeloma pain start?

Multiple myeloma can cause pain in affected bones – usually the back, ribs or hips. The pain is frequently a persistent dull ache, which may be made worse by movement.

How do I know myeloma stage?

To stage multiple myeloma, we examine blood cell counts, the amount of protein found in the blood and urine, the calcium level in the blood, and other diagnostic test results. Staging helps your care team consider treatment options and your prognosis, or chance of recovery.

Where does multiple myeloma start?

Multiple myeloma, the most common type of plasma cell tumor, develops in the bone marrow and can spread throughout the body. Solitary plasmacytoma is a single plasma cell tumor that develops in one part of the body, often in a bone.

What puts you at risk for multiple myeloma?

People who have been exposed to radiation or to asbestos, benzene, pesticides, and other chemicals used in rubber manufacturing may be at higher risk for developing myeloma. People often exposed to wood products, such as carpenters, furniture makers, and paper makers, are also at higher risk.

Can you lead a normal life with myeloma?

Apart from ongoing monitoring, most myeloma patients are able to live fairly normal lives, with few restrictions on low-impact exercise and other activity.

Can stress cause multiple myeloma?

Stress can be a very destructive force when it comes to myeloma. Stress really disrupts the immune system and myeloma is a cancer of the immune system. In addition, the stress hormone noradrenaline (the "flight" hormone, versus adrenaline, the "fight" hormone) can actually trigger cancer cell growth directly.

What is the first test for multiple myeloma?

Bone marrow biopsy

This test is required to confirm the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. A needle is inserted into the bone marrow space to remove a small sliver of bone marrow. Our hematopathologists examine the tissue under a microscope to determine if there are myeloma cells in the bone marrow.

What is the best test to diagnose multiple myeloma?

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

Bone marrow has both a solid and a liquid part. A bone marrow aspiration removes a sample of the fluid with a needle. A bone marrow biopsy is the removal of a small amount of solid tissue using a needle. This is important for making a diagnosis of myeloma.

What blood tests would show multiple myeloma?

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) measures the amount of immunoglobulins (antibodies) in the blood. This test looks for abnormal proteins found in myeloma. The myeloma protein is called monoclonal protein (also called M-protein, light chain, abnormal antibody or paraprotein).

Would myeloma show up in a routine blood test?

Doctors sometimes find multiple myeloma after a routine blood test. More often, doctors suspect multiple myeloma after an x-ray for a broken bone. Usually, though, patients go to the doctor because they are having other signs or symptoms.

What is the most common complaint of multiple myeloma?

Bone pain is the most common presenting symptom in MM. Most case series report that 70% of patients have bone pain at presentation. The lumbar spine is one of the most common sites of pain. Pathologic fractures are very common in MM; 93% of patients have more than one site of bony involvement.

Do you feel ill with myeloma?

Symptoms of weight loss, nausea, thirst, muscle weakness, and mental confusion are related to kidney failure, hypercalcemia, or other imbalances in blood chemicals. Fever and infections, especially of the upper respiratory tract and lungs, may arise as a result of the lower immunity that people with myeloma have.