Myeloma
Myeloma: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Outlook.: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Outlook.
Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.
What is Myeloma?
Myeloma, or multiple myeloma, is a blood cancer from plasma cells producing abnormal antibodies (M-proteins), crowding bone marrow and causing bone/organ damage. Stages I-III by ISS/R-ISS. In 2025, ~35,000 US cases, median age 69, more in men and Black individuals.
Symptoms
Symptoms include bone pain/fractures (CRAB: calcium elevation, renal failure, anemia, bone lesions), fatigue, frequent infections, weight loss, kidney problems, hypercalcemia (thirst, confusion), and neuropathy. Early asymptomatic (smoldering myeloma).
Causes
Genetic mutations (t(4;14), del(17p)) drive progression from MGUS. Risk factors include age, male gender, Black ethnicity, family history, obesity, radiation. In 2025, immune dysregulation key.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis uses blood/urine tests for M-protein (SPEP, UPEP, immunofixation), CBC (anemia), bone marrow biopsy (>10% plasma cells), imaging (PET-CT for lytic lesions), and cytogenetics/NGS for risk. In 2025, mass spectrometry improves M-protein detection.
Treatment
Induction uses triplet regimens (VRd: bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone), followed by autologous SCT for eligible. Maintenance lenalidomide reduces relapse. Relapsed uses CAR-T (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) or bispecifics (teclistamab). In 2025, quadruple therapies improve responses.
Future Outlook
In 2025, median survival 7-10 years, 60% 5-year. CAR-T achieves 80% remission in relapsed. By 2030, immunotherapies could achieve 15-year median.
Sources
Mayo Clinic’s “Multiple myeloma – Symptoms and causes” for symptoms; Cleveland Clinic’s “Multiple Myeloma: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Outlook” for treatment; NCI’s “Multiple Myeloma Treatment” for prognosis; PMC’s “Multiple Myeloma: Update on Diagnosis and Treatment” for updates; OncoDaily’s “Multiple Myeloma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment” for details; International Myeloma Foundation’s “Multiple Myeloma” for overview; Cancer Research UK’s “Myeloma” for research; American Cancer Society’s “Multiple Myeloma” for statistics; WebMD’s “Multiple Myeloma” for symptoms; Healthline’s “Multiple Myeloma: Outlook, Life Expectancy, Survival Rates” for outlook.