What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells, a white blood cell located in the bone marrow. It is included in the monoclonal gammopathies, a group of diseases that abnormally produce immunoglobulins and cause tumors to appear in the plasma cells. These cells are very important, since they are responsible for producing immunoglobulins or antibodies, the substances that defend the individual from foreign matter that may enter the body.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptom of multiple myeloma is bone pain, mostly located in the spine and ribs. Other symptoms are related to the consequence of lack of red blood cells: tiredness, weakness, palpitations or dizziness, or the alteration of the normal functioning of platelets (easy bruising, bleeding gums or nose). There may also be weight loss, infections, unexplained bone fractures and sometimes plasma cell tumors.
In addition, other patients with multiple myeloma present osteoporosis, osteolysis or bone fractures, the most affected regions being: skull, spine, ribs, sternum, pelvis or femur.
Causes of multiple myeloma or why it occurs
Regarding the causes of multiple myeloma, it has not been proven at present that it is due to a hereditary cause. However, several investigations have demonstrated occupational and environmental factors in the development of the disease, especially when working in the metal, leather, plastics, textile or wood industries, as well as on farms and with exposure to pesticides. However, there is no conclusive data on this subject.
Regarding the patient’s state of health and habits, there are studies that point to obesity as a risk factor in the incidence of multiple myeloma. Other factors such as smoking or alcohol, on the other hand, do not seem to be related to the causes of multiple myeloma.
Can it be prevented?
In multiple myeloma there are few cases related to risk factors that are preventable. Especially in those cases with monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance or solitary plasmacytoma, where there is no known way to prevent it.
What is the treatment?
A patient with multiple myeloma should only be treated if there is hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia or bone lesions.
If the patient is under 70 years of age, treatment is based on classic intravenous chemotherapy, followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation. In patients over 70 years of age, treatment should be very personalized, and may be classic oral treatment, which is less toxic.
The aim of the treatment will be to slow down the disease, since currently none of them allows cure. However, more than half of the patients manage to remit the symptoms (totally or partially).
The only treatment with curative possibilities is allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic progenitors (with a compatible donor). However, it can be used in few cases because the advanced age of the patients and the toxicity of the treatment make it not very viable.