Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma does not always cause symptoms. If you have a high quantity of abnormal plasma cells in your bone marrow or if the abnormal plasma cells cause symptoms it is referred to as multiple myeloma and treatment recommended by your physician is required. The most common symptoms of multiple myeloma can be summarized by the acronym C.R.A.B., which stands for calcium, renal (kidney) problems, anemia, and bone damage.

C - Increase in Blood Calcium (Hypercalcemia)

Calcium is a mineral found in the bones and teeth that plays an important role in bone formation. Normally, the bones are kept strong and healthy by a process known as bone remodeling, in which cells called osteoclasts break down old bone and cells called osteoblasts lay down new bone to replace it. As old bone is broken down, calcium is released into the bloodstream. As new bone is laid down, calcium is deposited from the bloodstream into the bones. Myeloma cells can disrupt this process by increasing the amount of bone broken down and decreasing the amount of new bone formed. This causes too much calcium to be released into the blood.

Excess blood calcium (hypercalcemia) may cause the following symptoms:

Here are some ways to manage the symptoms of hypercalcemia:

R - Renal (Kidney) Problems

The kidneys are two organs in the torso that filter waste and excess water from the blood and turn it into urine. In multiple myeloma, the excess M-proteins and calcium in the blood can put extra stress on the kidneys and cause them to work harder.

This stress can damage the kidneys and may cause any of the following symptoms:

Here are some helpful tips to manage these kidney problems:

A - Anemia

As myeloma cells multiply in the bone marrow, they can crowd out healthy blood cells and interfere with normal blood cell production, leading to conditions such as anemia (low red blood cells), leukopenia (low white blood cells), and thrombocytopenia (low platelets). Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body. When a person’s red blood cell count is very low, the organs and body tissues don’t receive enough oxygen.

This lack of oxygen may cause the following symptoms:

Here are some helpful tips to manage the complications of anemia:

B - Bone Damage

Normally, the bones are kept strong and healthy by a process known as bone remodeling, in which cells called osteoclasts break down old bone and cells called osteoblasts lay down new bone to replace it. Myeloma cells can interfere with this process, speeding up bone breakdown and slowing down the formation of new bone.

This may cause the following symptoms:

Here are some ways to manage the bone damage caused by Multiple Myeloma: