Multiple Myeloma/Kahler Disease - Cancer of Plasma Cells
Multiple myeloma also known as plasma cell myeloma or Kahler’s disease is a cancer of plasma cells which is a type of white blood cell responsible in producing antibodies. The cancer affects the plasma cells that are present in the bone marrow, which plays a very important role in the immune system.
Bone marrow is the spongy tissue that is found in the centre of some bones and produces the body’s blood cells. The collection of the abnormal plasma cells in multiple myeloma gets accumulated in the bone marrow and tends to interfere with the production of normal blood cells.
When the plasma cells become malignant, they grow out of control and start dividing rapidly and soon there are many malignant cells which tend to crowd out the normal cell in the bone marrow. These malignant cellsmay also invade the hard outer part of the bone and spread into the cavities of the bigger bones in the body and form into tumour. When one tumour is formed, it is known as a solitary plasmacytoma and when multiple tumours are formed, the ailment is known as multiple myeloma.
Bone Lesions/High Blood Calcium Level
In most cases, the production of an abnormal antibody, paraprotein, may occur which may cause kidney problems and the person may also encounter bone lesions and hypercalcemia or high blood calcium level. This disease is diagnosed with blood test, bone marrow examination, urine protein electrophoresis and X-rays of the common bones involved.
It is generally claimed to be incurable but can be treated and remission may be induced with the help of steroids, proteasome inhibitors, and chemotherapy as well as immunomodulatory drugs together with stem cell transplants. Sometimes radiation therapy is also used to reduce pain from bone lesions.
Myeloma tends to affect various areas in the body where there is bone marrow and these areas may include the bone of the spine, skull, rib cage, pelvis, areas around the hips and shoulders and at times the legs and the arms.
More Common in Men than Women
In the initial stage myeloma may not have any symptoms and it is only suspected or diagnosed after a routine urine or blood test, though this condition may eventually cause a wide range of symptoms like tiredness, bone pain, infections, and bone fractures, Multiple myeloma is more common in men than women and occurs with increase in age and though multiple myeloma cannot be cured it can be treated enabling individuals to live longer leading a healthier life with this ailment.
It is unknown what can cause the plasma cells in the bone marrow to get cancerous. Some research suggests the possibility of the decline in the immune system, specific occupation, exposure to radiation, and exposure to certain chemicals.
The likelihood of multiple myeloma is much higher than average among individuals with agricultural occupation, workers in leather industries, petroleum workers and cosmetologist. Exposure to insecticides, herbicides, heavy metals, petroleum products, plastics and several dusts may be prone to get affected with this disease though in most cases, multiple myeloma affects individuals with no known risk factors.
Bone marrow is the spongy tissue that is found in the centre of some bones and produces the body’s blood cells. The collection of the abnormal plasma cells in multiple myeloma gets accumulated in the bone marrow and tends to interfere with the production of normal blood cells.
When the plasma cells become malignant, they grow out of control and start dividing rapidly and soon there are many malignant cells which tend to crowd out the normal cell in the bone marrow. These malignant cellsmay also invade the hard outer part of the bone and spread into the cavities of the bigger bones in the body and form into tumour. When one tumour is formed, it is known as a solitary plasmacytoma and when multiple tumours are formed, the ailment is known as multiple myeloma.
Bone Lesions/High Blood Calcium Level
In most cases, the production of an abnormal antibody, paraprotein, may occur which may cause kidney problems and the person may also encounter bone lesions and hypercalcemia or high blood calcium level. This disease is diagnosed with blood test, bone marrow examination, urine protein electrophoresis and X-rays of the common bones involved.
It is generally claimed to be incurable but can be treated and remission may be induced with the help of steroids, proteasome inhibitors, and chemotherapy as well as immunomodulatory drugs together with stem cell transplants. Sometimes radiation therapy is also used to reduce pain from bone lesions.
Myeloma tends to affect various areas in the body where there is bone marrow and these areas may include the bone of the spine, skull, rib cage, pelvis, areas around the hips and shoulders and at times the legs and the arms.
More Common in Men than Women
In the initial stage myeloma may not have any symptoms and it is only suspected or diagnosed after a routine urine or blood test, though this condition may eventually cause a wide range of symptoms like tiredness, bone pain, infections, and bone fractures, Multiple myeloma is more common in men than women and occurs with increase in age and though multiple myeloma cannot be cured it can be treated enabling individuals to live longer leading a healthier life with this ailment.
It is unknown what can cause the plasma cells in the bone marrow to get cancerous. Some research suggests the possibility of the decline in the immune system, specific occupation, exposure to radiation, and exposure to certain chemicals.
The likelihood of multiple myeloma is much higher than average among individuals with agricultural occupation, workers in leather industries, petroleum workers and cosmetologist. Exposure to insecticides, herbicides, heavy metals, petroleum products, plastics and several dusts may be prone to get affected with this disease though in most cases, multiple myeloma affects individuals with no known risk factors.
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