Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Dr. Maria Baer

Ask the Expert

Get answers to questions about Myelodysplastic Syndromes by e-mailing Dr. Maria Baer.

See Dr. Baer's Bio

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis via e-mail.

 

Related Content

Treatment Services

Cancer Overviews

Multiple Myeloma Treatment

Our Doctors

Multiple myeloma

Definition:

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow.

Alternative Names:

Plasma cell dyscrasia; Plasma cell myeloma; Malignant plasmacytoma; Plasmacytoma of bone; Myeloma - multiple

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Plasma cells help the body's immune system fight disease. Multiple myeloma occurs when plasma cells grow out of control. Excessive plasma cells can form a tumor in the bone marrow called a myeloma. Many tumors are called multiple myeloma.

The growth of the excess plasma cells interferes with the production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets . This causes anemia and makes a person more likely to get infections and have abnormal bleeding.

As the cancer cells grow in the bone marrow, they cause pain and destruction of the bones. If the bones in the spine are affected, it can put pressure on the nerves, resulting in numbness or paralysis .

Renal failure (kidney failure) is a frequent complication.

Multiple myeloma mainly affects older adults. A history of radiation therapy raises your risk for this type of cancer.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com