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Multiple Myeloma
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Immune System

Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that begins in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system.

Overview

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that begins in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. These cells are part of your immune system, which helps protect the body from germs and other harmful substances. In time, myeloma cells collect in the bone marrow and in the solid parts of bones.

Causes & Risk Factors

No one knows the exact causes of multiple myeloma, but it is more common in older people and African Americans. It can run in families.

Symptoms

Common symptoms may include:

  • Bone pain, often in the back or ribs
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Frequent infections and fevers
  • Feeling very thirsty
  • Frequent urination

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose multiple myeloma using lab tests, imaging tests, and a bone marrow biopsy.

Treatment & Management

Your treatment depends on how advanced the disease is and whether you have symptoms. If you have no symptoms, you may not need treatment right away. If you have symptoms, you may have:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Stem cell transplantation
  • Radiation
  • Targeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells

Frequently Asked Questions

Multiple myeloma can damage the kidneys because abnormal proteins produced by myeloma cells can clog the kidney filters, and high levels of calcium in the blood can lead to kidney stones. Symptoms of kidney involvement include excessive thirst, frequent urination, swelling in the legs or ankles, and changes in urine color or frequency. If you notice dark urine, blood in the urine, or a sudden decrease in urine output, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately, as this may indicate acute kidney injury requiring urgent intervention.
MGUS is a precancerous condition where the bone marrow produces an abnormal protein, but the levels are low, and there is no damage to the bones, kidneys, or blood counts. Unlike multiple myeloma, MGUS is not cancer and does not require treatment, though it requires regular monitoring because a small percentage of people with MGUS may develop myeloma over time. The key distinction is that myeloma involves a higher burden of cancer cells and causes measurable organ damage, whereas MGUS is asymptomatic and stable.
Bone pain in multiple myeloma occurs because myeloma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, weakening the bone structure and causing micro-fractures or holes in the bone. This pain is often described as a deep, aching sensation in the back, ribs, or hips. Management typically involves a combination of pain relievers, bisphosphonates (drugs that strengthen bones), and radiation therapy to target specific painful areas. In severe cases, surgery may be required to stabilize a bone that is at risk of breaking.
While multiple myeloma is generally considered incurable, it is highly manageable, and many patients achieve long-term remission with modern treatments like stem cell transplants and targeted therapies. Long-term remission means that the cancer is not detectable by standard tests, and the patient is free of symptoms. However, because the disease can persist in the bone marrow at low levels, patients must continue regular monitoring with blood and urine tests to detect any signs of relapse early, allowing for prompt adjustment of therapy.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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