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Multiple myeloma occurs when plasma cells in the blood grow quickly and become malignant. Plasma cells play an important role in fighting infection, but when they divide abnormally, they form a tumor in the bone marrow referred to as a myeloma. More than one myeloma is referred to as multiple myeloma
Often patients do not recognize the symptoms of multiple myeloma until the disease has progressed. At first, symptoms such as pain in the lower back and ribs, fatigue, and kidney problems may seem to be associated with different disorders. However, myeloma can cause serious damage to the back bones, which can lead to nerve damage in the spinal cord. In turn, a patient with myeloma may experience numbness and tingling, muscle fatigue, and difficulty during urination and bowel movements. In patients without symptoms, myeloma may be found by a normal blood test during annual check-ups. Once a doctor suspects myeloma, testing of the blood or urine, X-rays of the bones, and a bone marrow biopsy are usually done to confirm that cancer is present.
Chemotherapy is a commonly used method for treating multiple myeloma. Determining which drug and dosage to use is based on the cancer stage, the patient’s age and kidney health, and the possibility of stem cell transplantation.
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