Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma

According to the Mayo Clinic, most cases of multiple myeloma are diagnosed after the cancer spreads, since early-stage multiple myeloma does not always cause noticeable signs. As the disease progresses, patients may experience a variety of symptoms including (but not limited to):

• Bone pain anywhere in the body, but especially in the chest or spine
• Fatigue, sometimes accompanied by weakness in the legs
• Constipation
• Unexplained weight loss and/or loss of appetite
• Confusion or trouble concentrating
• Nausea
• Frequent infections
• Abnormal bleeding
• Persistent, excessive thirst

Multiple myeloma can cause a range of symptoms because of how it develops. The cancer starts in the plasma of the bone marrow — plasma is a component of the blood, and bone marrow produces blood cells. As the cancer produces more cells, the bone marrow is unable to produce enough healthy blood cells to fight infections.

The symptoms listed above are also associated with other diseases and conditions. No single symptom (or set of symptoms) is sufficient for a multiple myeloma diagnosis; people experiencing sudden health changes should speak with a qualified physician.

Risk Factors for Multiple Myeloma

The exact cause of multiple myeloma is currently unknown. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), research indicates that risk factors include advanced age, exposure to radiation, and family history. Men are more likely to receive a multiple myeloma diagnosis, but the disease can affect anyone.

Any person worried about unusual symptoms should talk to their physician. A doctor might recommend blood tests, urine tests, imaging tests (such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI), or laboratory tests. If these tests indicate cancer, the doctor may use additional tests to confirm the diagnosis, at which point they’ll discuss potential treatments with the patient.

Treatment Options for Multiple Myeloma Patients

Multiple myeloma doesn’t always show noticeable symptoms at first, and if cancer is in an early stage, a physician might recommend a “watchful waiting" approach. This doesn’t mean that the doctor is taking the disease lightly — treatment may not be necessary right away, but the cancer will still need to be monitored.

Doctors take dozens of factors into consideration when deciding how to treat patients with multiple myeloma. Per the National Cancer Institute, medical interventions might include:

• Immunotherapy. These treatments attempt to use the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy. Doctors administer medications that will identify and attack specific types of cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy. When multiple myeloma progresses, high-dose chemotherapy may be given to kill the cancer cells. This treatment also kills healthy cells, and patients will require stem cell transplants from a healthy donor after the chemotherapy.
• Radiation therapy. As its name implies, this therapy uses high-energy radiation to stop cancer from growing.
• Surgery. If the cancer is confined to one place, surgeons may be able to remove most of it. However, surgery is often combined with other therapies (especially radiation therapy) to lower the chances that the cancer will return.

This is not a comprehensive list of treatments, and patients should do their own research and discuss options with their cancer specialists (oncologists). In most cases, patients will use several different interventions to reduce symptoms and stop the cancer from growing.

In addition to treating the cancer, a doctor may recommend other treatments to reduce the severity of symptoms. This might include pain medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, and bone-building drugs. Some people also take over-the-counter supplements as part of their treatment; however, certain supplements can interact with pharmaceuticals, so patients should always discuss alternative therapies with their doctors.

Learning More About Multiple Myeloma

The outlook for multiple myeloma varies depending on the patient’s age, other health conditions, and a variety of other factors. Early detection and treatment is important.

People who notice any unusual symptoms should obtain a professional diagnosis before starting any course of treatment. Researching the condition online may be helpful, particularly for patients who want to discuss therapeutic options with their doctors. By using a variety of online resources, people with multiple myeloma can become more informed about recent advances in cancer treatment, which can provide peace of mind during a difficult time.