Multiple myeloma occurs when a specialized white cell, known as
a plasma cell, becomes malignant. Like all blood cells, plasma
cells are produced in the bone marrow. Plasma cells produce
proteins that help protect the body from infection. After one or
more of these cells becomes malignant , they multiply rapidly.
These abnormal cells produce very large amounts of proteins that
do not work as well as normal proteins.. They may also crowd out
normal cells. Some of the cancerous plasma cells will leave the
bone marrow and enter the bloodstream. From there they may enter
bones and destroy them. The disease usually takes many years to
develop. A person with multiple myeloma may not have any
symptoms early in the disease. Some individuals do notice
problems, including: pain, which occurs when the bones are
affected. The bones may be so weak that they break
easily.frequent infections, which may cause illness for some
time before the cancer is diagnosedfatigue, caused by too much
protein or calciumin the body There i