Is Multiple Myeloma the Same as Leukemia?

Is multiple myeloma the same as leukemia?

Multiple myeloma and leukemia are both types of blood cancers but they are not the same disease.

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that affects plasma cells, which are a certain type of white blood cell. In multiple myeloma, the body produces too many plasma cells in the bone marrow. These extra cells cause damage to the bone marrow and can become tumors or can destroy the bones themselves.

Symptoms of multiple myeloma include

• Bone pain
• Bone fractures
• Fatigue as a result of anemia (low red blood cell counts)
• Frequent infections

Leukemia is a different type of cancer of white blood cells. There are four main types of leukemia based on the type of white blood cells affected:

• Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Symptoms of leukemia depend on the type of leukemia, but in general may include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Fever/night sweats
• Bleeding (nosebleeds, gums bleeding) or easy bruising
• Weight loss
• Enlarged lymph nodes

Read our full medical articles on multiple myeloma and leukemia for more information.