MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
November 25, 2009
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Picture Image Collection MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A

Multiple Myeloma (cont.)

Symptoms of multiple myeloma


Common symptoms of multiple myeloma include:

  • Bone pain, usually in the back
  • Broken bones, usually in the spine
  • Feeling weak and very tired
  • Feeling very thirsty
  • Frequent infections and fevers
  • Weight loss
  • Nausea or constipation
  • Frequent urination

Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer. Other health problems can cause the same symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should tell the doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Diagnosis of multiple myeloma

Doctors sometimes find multiple myeloma after a routine blood test. More often, doctors suspect multiple myeloma after an x-ray for a broken bone. Usually though, patients go to the doctor because they are having other symptoms.

To find out whether such problems are from multiple myeloma or some other condition, your doctor may ask about your personal and family medical history and do a physical exam. In addition, your doctor may order some of the following tests and exams:

  • Blood tests: The lab checks the level of blood cells and other substances. Myeloma causes a high level of plasma cells and calcium. Most people with myeloma have anemia. Myeloma also causes high levels of certain proteins. The lab checks for M protein, beta-2-microglobulin, and other proteins.
  • Urine tests: The lab checks for Bence Jones protein, a type of M protein, in urine. The lab measures the amount of Bence Jones protein in urine collected over a 24-hour period.

If the lab finds a high level of Bence Jones protein in your urine sample, doctors will monitor your kidneys. Bence Jones protein can clog the kidneys and damage them.

  • X-rays: You may have x-rays to check for broken or thinning bones.
  • Biopsy: The doctor removes tissue to look for cancer cells. A biopsy is the only sure way to know whether myeloma cells are in the bone marrow. The doctor removes some bone marrow from your hipbone or another large bone. Local anesthesia helps reduce the discomfort. A pathologist uses a microscope to check the tissue for cancer cells.

There are two ways the doctor can obtain bone marrow:

  • Bone marrow aspiration: The doctor uses a thin needle to remove samples of bone marrow.
  • Bone marrow biopsy: The doctor uses a thick needle to remove a small piece of bone and bone marrow.

You may want to ask the doctor these questions before having a biopsy:

  • How will the biopsy be done?
  • Where will I have my biopsy?
  • How long will it take? Will I be awake? What will I feel? Will it hurt?
  • Are there any risks? What are the chances of infection or bleeding after the procedure?
  • How long will it take me to recover?
  • How soon will I know the results? Who will explain them to me?
  • If I do have cancer, who will talk to me about the next steps? When?


Next: How is multiple myeloma treated? »

Multiple Myeloma - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

The symptoms of multiple myeloma can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?

Comment submissions for this question have ended. Patient Discussions FAQs
See 20 Viewer Comments

View Comments


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • alendronate, Fosamax - Specifies the medication alendronate (Fosamax), a drug used to treat osteoporosis (thinning of bone) in women after menopause.
  • Pneumococcal Vaccination - Learn about pneumococcal vaccination (pneumonia vaccine) recommendations and side effects, and find out who should and should not be vaccinated.
  • Anemia - Read about anemia (low blood cell count, low hemoglobin) causes like iron deficiency, stomach ulcers, medications, colon cancer, trauma, vitamin 12 or folate deficiency, leukemia, myltiple myeloma and more.

Latest Medical News


Cancer

Get the latest treatment options.


Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain












Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.