Multiple Myeloma Poses a Threat to Bones
The most common symptoms of multiple myeloma, a disease poorly known by the public and described by physicians as "mysterious," are severe bone pain and fractures that occur without trauma.
Multiple myeloma, commonly known only to a small portion of the public and described by physicians as 'mysterious,' presents most frequently with severe bone pain and fractures that develop without trauma.
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that develops due to uncontrolled and abnormal proliferation of cells called plasma cells in the bone marrow. Among hematologic cancers, multiple myeloma occurs in 1 out of every 10 cases and, although it typically develops in people over 60 years of age, 5-10 percent of patients are younger than 40 years old. Anemia constitutes another important signal of the disease. The kidneys are also affected by this condition, and sudden kidney failure can develop.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Çetiner, Hematology Specialist at Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, points out that the dizzying developments in the medical world, particularly in recent years, have rapidly increased hopes for treatment of the disease, explaining: "Thanks to targeted drugs and bone marrow transplantation, much more successful results are achieved compared to the past, and patients' life expectancy and quality of life are improving."
Monoclonal proteins are responsible!
Multiple myeloma is a disease of plasma cells in the bone marrow that are responsible for a part of our immune system. Under normal conditions, plasma cells secrete a group of proteins (antibodies) called immunoglobulins that play a key role in our immune system. However, sometimes increased plasma cells cause the secretion of only one type of abnormal, non-functional protein. This abnormal condition also creates serious deficiencies in the production of normal antibodies. Plasma cells that increase in number in the bone marrow can prevent the production of other normal bone marrow cells. As a result, multiple myeloma cancer develops.
More common in men
Although the cause of multiple myeloma disease is not yet known, certain factors are reported to increase the risk. According to research conducted, multiple myeloma is more commonly seen in men, in advanced age (average age of presentation 60), and in people with a family history. In addition to these, "radiation exposure, infections, chronic inflammation, exposure to pesticides, working in the petrochemical industry or woodworking" are also among the risk-increasing factors.
The disease with the most bone marrow transplants performed worldwide
The goal in the treatment of multiple myeloma is to extend patients' life expectancy and enable them to live a quality life. Hematology Specialist Prof. Dr. Mustafa Çetiner points out that multiple myeloma is the disease with the most stem cell transplantation, in other words bone marrow transplants, performed worldwide, stating: "Today, chemotherapy approaches are decreasing and are being replaced by targeted antibody therapies, treatments that target intracellular signaling pathways and induce cell death. With these treatments, survival periods previously reported as an average of 5 years have exceeded 10 years and appear to increase further in this trend."
PAY ATTENTION TO THE 3 MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS!
Three primary symptoms stand out in multiple myeloma disease. Hematology Specialist Prof. Dr. Mustafa Çetiner summarizes these symptoms as follows:
Severe bone pain
The most common symptom of multiple myeloma is tissue loss that creates an appearance as if bones have been drilled with a punch. Hematology Specialist Prof. Dr. Mustafa Çetiner points out that severe bone pain and spontaneous fractures can develop due to tissue loss, stating: "Therefore, this disease should be considered in cases of severe bone pain and unexplained fractures."
Unexplained anemia
When the bone marrow occupied by plasma cells cannot function normally, blood cells are most affected and anemia develops. Hematology Specialist Prof. Dr. Mustafa Çetiner emphasizes that for this reason, multiple myeloma must always be considered in middle-aged and older patients experiencing anemia with high sedimentation values and no identifiable cause.
Unexplained kidney failure
Another manifestation of multiple myeloma can be unexplained kidney failure. Abnormal proteins secreted by abnormal plasma cells can impair kidney function as they are eliminated through the kidneys. Blood calcium levels can increase and as a result, kidney failure, fatigue, cardiac arrhythmia, nausea and vomiting can occur.
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