Multiple Myeloma Overview
At Sheba Medical Center in Israel, we offer frontline treatments for multiple myeloma, based on the latest clinical research. Our Hemato-Oncology Division comprises many internationally recognized experts from a range of medical disciplines, including hematologists, medical oncologists, bone marrow transplant specialists, and radiation oncologists. Our doctors bring their top qualifications and extensive experience to designing effective and personalized treatments for every patient with multiple myeloma.
The entire team at Sheba is committed to practicing holistic, tailored healthcare. Your doctors will customize your treatment program for multiple myeloma with a focus on your overall quality of life. As you undergo various therapies at Sheba, we will strive to fulfill your unique physical, psychological, and lifestyle needs. Our doctors believe in clear and open communication, and our compassionate staff is always available to answer any questions you may have about your diagnosis of multiple myeloma and its treatment.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer (related to lymphoma and leukemia) that originates in the plasma cells, which are essential components of your immune system. Plasma cells are a specific type of white blood cells that make antibodies (immunoglobulins) to find and attack germs, thereby fighting infections. Multiple myeloma is relatively uncommon; in the United States, the risk of developing this cancer is 1 in 132. In 2019, the American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 32,110 new cases of multiple myeloma will be diagnosed. While multiple myeloma cannot typically be cured, there are many treatments that slow its development.
What is multiple myeloma?
The cancerous plasma cells of multiple myeloma multiply at an abnormally rapid rate, crowding out healthy blood cells. Instead of producing antibodies to fight infection, these cells then produce abnormal proteins that accumulate in your bones and blood. The buildup of abnormal protein (called monoclonal immunoglobulin) damages organs throughout the body.
As multiple myeloma progresses and worsens, the plasma cells spread out from your bone marrow and through your body, causing more damage to other organs.
What are the risk factors of multiple myeloma?
- Older age: most cases are diagnosed in people who are at least 65 years old, and less than 1% of cases are diagnosed in patients younger than 35
- Gender: men have a slightly higher chance of getting multiple myeloma than women do
- Race: this cancer is more than twice as common in African Americans than in white Americans
- Family history: multiple myeloma seems to run in families, so someone who has a first-degree relative with the disease is at higher risk
- Obesity: being very overweight increases the risks
- Having other plasma cell diseases: having monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or solitary plasmacytoma puts you at a higher risk of developing multiple myeloma
What are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?
- Nausea
- Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Mental fogginess or confusion
- Weakness or numbness in your legs
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive thirst
- Low blood counts – anemia (low red blood cell count) can cause shortness of breath and fatigue, leukopenia (low white blood cell count) can raise your risk of infections, or thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count) can lead to easy bleeding or bruising
- Kidney problems – the accumulation of abnormal antibody proteins and high blood calcium levels can damage your kidneys
- Hypercalcemia – bone tissue is dissolved, which releases calcium into the blood, and you may experience dehydration, frequent urination, constipation, and mental confusion
- Spinal cord compression – multiple myeloma can weaken or collapse your bone structures, which can lead to pain and numbness due to spinal cord compression
What are the stages of multiple myeloma?
If your diagnostic tests detect multiple myeloma, our doctors will use information from the test results to classify your disease as stage I, stage II, or stage III. These stages are based on how far the cancer has spread. Stage I is the most passive form of the disease, whereas stage III describes an aggressive condition that can affect the kidneys, bone, and other organs. Knowing the stage of your disease is essential for planning the most effective treatment. Cancer staging can be very complex, and our team will take the time to provide clear explanations so that you understand your diagnosis.
Request a consultation
Sheba Medical Center provides innovative, personalized medical care to patients from around the world. We are the largest, most comprehensive hospital in the Middle East and dedicated to providing advanced and compassionate medicine for everyone. We welcome all cases, including the rarest and the most challenging. Our medical teams collaborate to provide the best possible health outcomes. From your initial inquiry through the long-term follow-up care, we are here for you.
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