Do Not Ignore These Symptoms: They Could Be a Sign of Multiple Myeloma

Do Not Ignore These Symptoms: They Could Be a Sign of Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is a malignant bone marrow disease caused by genetic mutations in plasma cells, leading to their uncontrolled multiplication. Key symptoms often start as persistent dull pain in the spine, pelvis, or ribs, easily mistaken for common aches, alongside fatigue, weight loss, and frequent infections. Diagnosis involves specific blood and urine tests, bone marrow biopsy, and genetic analysis, with treatment focusing on achieving remission and maintaining quality of life through targeted therapies and stem cell transplantation.

• Multiple myeloma is a malignant bone marrow disease resulting from genetic mutations in plasma cells.
• Common initial symptoms include persistent dull pain in the spine, pelvis, or ribs, fatigue, weight loss, and frequent infections.
• The CRAB criteria (Calcium elevation, Renal impairment, Anemia, Bone lesions) are central to clinical presentation.
• Diagnosis requires a combination of clinical suspicion, blood and urine tests (including electrophoresis and immunofixation), and a bone marrow biopsy with genetic analysis.
• While not always curable, treatment aims to achieve remission, delay relapse, and improve patient quality of life using targeted therapies, immunomodulatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and bispecific antibodies.
• Stem cell transplantation is an option for younger, fit patients as consolidation therapy.
• Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent organ damage and improve prognosis.
• Multiple myeloma is a socio-economic issue, affecting the working-age population and impacting families significantly.
• Common misconceptions include mistaking it for acute leukemia, believing there’s no effective therapy, or considering it a death sentence.