(Plasma-Cell Myeloma)En Español (Spanish Version) More InDepth
Information on This Condition Definition | Causes | Risk Factors
| Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Prevention Multiple myeloma
is a rare cancer of the bone marrow. It results from the
abnormal growth of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Plasma cells
normally produce antibodies. As these abnormal or malignant
plasma cells multiply, they produce large quantities of abnormal
antibodies. These abnormal antibodies collect in the blood and
urine. As the plasma cell tumor grows, it also destroys the bone
around it. These events lead to bone pain, kidney damage, and a
weak immune system. Cancer occurs when cells in the body (in
this case plasma cells) divide without control or order.
Normally, cells divide in a regulated manner. If cells keep
dividing uncontrollably, a mass of tissue forms, called a growth
or tumor. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors, which can
invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. A
benign tumor does not i