What are myeloma cells?
Myeloma Cells Are Plasma Blood Cells That Have Become Cancerous. They are implicated in a Type of Leukemia Known as multiple myeloma. Plasma Cells Are One of Many Types of White Blood Cells That Can Be Found in the Bone Marrow of A Healthy Person. When multiple myeloma occurs, the proliferation of the abnormal number of cancerous plasma cells or myeloma cells inhibits the normal production of other types of white blood cells, red blood cells and bone marrow plates. Tumors can develop and immune system problems may occur. Multiple Myeloma Usually Begins When Just One Myeloma Cell Appears in the Bone Marrow, and This Single Myeloma Cell Can Multiply Very Quickly. Unlike Healthy Cells, WHICH EVENTULY GROW OLD AND DIE, Myeloma Cells often Remain Alive and Continue Reproduction. Normally, Plasma Cells represents one to five percent of white blood cells present in the bone marrow. Plasma cells can represent ten percent or more white blood cells presentin the bone marrow of a person with multiple myeloma.
myeloma cells are able to move around the body in the bloodstream, which means that they can spread from their bone marrow origin to affect the rest of the bone marrow of the body. Tumors can form, damage bones and soft tissues. Myeloma cells often also produce high levels of abnormal antibodies and cause a significant reduction in the number of normal antibodies produced in the body. For this reason, multiple myeloma can brake the body's immune system and make minor infections much more dangerous.
Physical symptoms of multiple myeloma often include bone pain, numbness or weakness in the legs, recurring infections, weight loss and fatigue. Multiple myeloma can cause bones to thin and fragile, which increases the likelihood of fractures. High blood anemia and calcium may occur. Abnormal proteins and antibodies can often be foundt in the blood of those with multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma often does not cause symptoms for a long time. Persons with asymptomatic multiple myeloma may not be immediately given treatment, but will be monitored to deteriorate their condition. Drugs such as Thalidomide, Bortezomib, Lenalidomide and other chemotherapy may be prescribed for the treatment of multiple myeloma. These drugs treat multiple myeloma by destroying myeloma cells.
treatment such as stem cell transplantation, radiation therapy and oral corticosteroids may also treat multiple myeloma. There is no medicine for multiple myeloma. However, many people enjoy high quality of life for many years.