Multiple myeloma (also known as plasma cell myeloma and plasmacytoma) is a slow-growing cancer of the bone marrow. The ‘plasma cells’ involved in the disease are cells that have undergone a change to become malignant. That means they are proliferating unchecked at multiple sites in the bone marrow, impairing the formation of blood and thereby destroying the bone. Multiple myeloma can be treated, among other things, using chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and stem cell transplantation. Patients will often require orthopaedic surgery to treat the damaged bones.
Multiple myeloma is a rare cancer that occurs mainly in older age. The disease is characterised by malignant proliferations of plasma cells. It affects men slightly more often than women. Multiple myeloma usually develops slowly, and frequently does not cause any symptoms in the initial stages. It is therefore not uncommon for the disease to be discovered by chance thanks to a blood test, a urine test or an X-ray of the bones. The first signs of multiple myeloma can be fatigue, loss of energy and productivity, and weight loss. Over time, bone pain, spontaneous bone fractures, anaemia, an increased tendency to bleed and a susceptibility to infectious diseases can also develop.
Patients are treated based on their symptoms and the severity of their disease. If the disease is advanced or if the multiple myeloma is causing symptoms, various treatment options are available, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and stem cell transplantation. Immunotherapy with CAR T cells or bispecific antibodies can now be offered to patients with advanced stages of the disease.
