Multiple myeloma

What are the signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma?

While some may not exhibit symptoms of multiple myeloma, once myeloma cells begin to crowd normal blood cells, symptoms often appear. Some signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma include:^3,4

• Breakdown of the bone resulting in high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), which causes dehydration, excessive thirst, nausea, constipation and confusion
• Poor kidney function
• Anemia that may result in weakness dizziness and shortness of breath
• Weakened bones making patients more susceptible to fractures
• Weakened immune system causing more infections such as pneumonia
• Fatigue

Who can be impacted by multiple myeloma?

While everyone can be impacted by multiple myeloma, it is more common in:

• People who are at least 65 years old.⁵ The risk of developing multiple myeloma increases with age.
• Men³ are slightly more likely to develop multiple myeloma.
• African Americans⁸ are at twice the risk of developing multiple myeloma compared to white Americans.

How is multiple myeloma diagnosed?

• Multiple myeloma is often diagnosed through several exams and tests. Most commonly, doctors may run a variety of specialized blood and/or urine tests, bone marrow examinations, x-rays or other imaging tests and genetic tests.³

How is multiple myeloma treated?

There are various types of therapies a person’s doctor may choose to treat multiple myeloma or alleviate symptoms.^6,7 Some of which include:

• Chemotherapy
• Corticosteroids
• Immunomodulators
• Proteasome inhibitors
• Monoclonal antibodies
• Nuclear export inhibitors⁶
• Stem cell transplants⁸
• Radiation⁹
• Surgery¹⁰
• CAR T-cell therapies¹¹
• Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)
• Blood transfusions
• Plasmapheresis⁷