Page 16 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • February 5, 2014 Understanding the basics about multiple myeloma Cancer comes in many forms. Though many people are familiar with more commonly diagnosed cancers like lung cancer or breast cancer, lesser-known cancers can make the shock of a cancer diagnosis that much more puzzling. Being diagnosed with a less common cancer can compound the tendency for men and women facing a cancer diagnosis to ask themselves, “Why me?” But understanding lesser- known cancers can make it easier for people to grasp what they need to do to beat the disease. Multiple myeloma is a somewhat uncommon cancer. In fact, the American Cancer Society notes that, in the United States, a person’s risk of getting multiple myeloma is 1 in 149, while according to Myeloma Canada, the disease is responsible for roughly 1.3 percent of all new cancer cases in that country. Though multiple myeloma may be rare, understanding the disease, knowing its risk factors, and learning to recognize its potential symptoms can make it easier to beat it should you be diagnosed. What is multiple myeloma? Multiple myeloma is a cancer formed by malignant plasma cells. Mainly found in the bone marrow, normal plasma cells are a key component of the body’s immune system, producing the antibodies that help the body attack and kill germs. When a person has multiple myeloma, these plasma cells begin to multiply within the bone marrow at an unhealthy rate. As they multiply, these plasma cells release more and more of an antibody called immunoglobulin into the bones and blood. As this excessive protein accumulates in the body, organ damage can result. Kidney damage and even kidney failure may result as the myeloma cells pro- duce more and more immunoglobulin. Another side effect of multiple myeloma is the weak- ening of bones. As noted, plasma cells are necessary to protect the body from infection. But as multiple myeloma plasma cells continue to multiply, they begin to interfere with cells that keep bones strong. The multiple myeloma cells start to crowd out normal plasma cells, and as they do so they release chemicals that dissolve areas of bone. That is because the multiple myeloma cells send messages to the osteoclasts, cells responsible for breaking down old bone, to speed up the process of dissolving the bones. However, multiple myeloma cells are not sending messages to the osteoblasts, which are the cells that lay down new bone, to create new bone. So bones are dissolving without any new bone to replace them, leaving multiple myeloma patients susceptible to bone fractures. What causes multiple myeloma? The cause of multiple myeloma remains a mystery. However, the ACS notes that certain risk factors can increase a person’s chance of being diagnosed with mul- tiple myeloma. • Age: Less than one percent of multiple myeloma diagnoses are in people under the age of 35, and the major- ity of diagnoses are in people who are at least 65 years old. • Gender: Men have a slightly higher risk of being diagnosed with multiple myeloma than women. • Race: Multiple myeloma is twice as common among African-Americans as white Americans. • Family history: Though many multiple myeloma patients have no family history of the disease, people who have a parent or sibling with myeloma are at a considerably higher risk of getting the disease than those with no such family history. • Obesity: An ACS study indicated that being over- weight or obese increases a person's risk of developing myeloma. • Other plasma diseases: Many people with mono- clonal gammopathy of uncertain significance or solitary plasmacytoma will eventually develop multiple myeloma. Are there symptoms of multiple myeloma? Symptoms often only appear once multiple myeloma has started to progress. Many people have no symptoms, but those that do tend to exhibit the following indicators. Bone problems: Bone pain caused by weakened bones is a potential side effect of multiple myeloma. Weak areas of bone can be very painful, and though any bone can expe- rience this pain, it is most often felt in the backbone, hip bones, and skull. Low blood counts: As normal blood-flowing cells are pushed out by abnormal myeloma cells, the bone marrow often does not produce enough red blood cells, white blood cells or blood platelets. Low red blood cells can cause weak- ness, pale skin, inability to exercise, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Low white blood cells can make it more dif- ficult for the body to fight infection, while a low platelet count can cause heavy bleeding from minor scrapes or cuts or easy bruising. High blood calcium: As bone dissolves, which it will do as multiple myeloma cells send messages to the osteoclasts, calcium levels in the blood can reach very high levels. That can cause kidney disease and lead to a variety of symptoms, including feeling very thirsty, drinking a lot, and urinating a lot. High blood calcium may also cause loss of appetite, constipation, belly pain, and sleepiness or confusion. Nervous system problems: Bones in the spine may weaken and collapse as a result of multiple myeloma. These bones can press on certain nerves and cause pain, numb- ness and/or muscle weakness. This is known as spinal cord compression and is considered a serious symptom that requires immediate medical attention. Confusion, dizzi- ness, and stroke-like symptoms also may be a byproduct of myeloma cells causing nerve damage that results from the myeloma cells producing abnormal proteins that thicken the blood. This is treatable, but requires immediate medi- cal attention. More information on multiple myeloma is available at www.cancer.org/multiplemyeloma.