Important It is possible that the main title of the report Myeloma, Multipleis not the name you expected.
Synonyms
Kahler Disease
Myelomatosis
Plasma Cell Myeloma
Disorder Subdivisions
Smoldering Myeloma
Plasma Cell Leukemia
Nonsecretory Myeloma
Osteosclerotic Myeloma
Solitary Plasmacytoma of Bone
Extramedullary Plasmacytoma
General Discussion
Multiple myeloma is a rare form of cancer characterized by excessive production (proliferation) and improper function of certain cells (plasma cells) found in the bone marrow. Plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell, are produced in the bone marrow and eventually enter the bloodstream. Excessive plasma cells may eventually mass together to form a tumor or tumors in various sites of the body, especially the bone marrow. If only a single tumor is present, the term solitary plasmocytoma is used. When multiple tumors are present, the term multiple myeloma is used. Plasma cells are a key component of the immune system and secrete a substance known as myeloma proteins (M-proteins), a type of antibody. Antibodies are special proteins that the body produces to combat invading microorganisms, toxins, or other foreign substances. Overproduction of plasma cells in affected individuals results in abnormally high levels of these proteins within the body.
Major symptoms of multiple myeloma may include bone pain, especially in the back and the ribs; low levels of circulating red blood cells (anemia) resulting in weakness, fatigue, and lack of color (pallor); and kidney (renal) abnormalities. In most cases, affected individuals are more susceptible to bacterial infections such as pneumonia. The exact cause of multiple myeloma is unknown. .
Resources
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 1311 Mamaroneck Ave 3rd Floor White Plains, NY 10605 Tel: (914)949-5213 Fax: (914)949-6691 Tel: (800)955-4572 Email: infocenter@LLS.org Internet: http://www.LLS.org
International Myeloma Foundation 12650 Riverside Dr Suite 206 North Hollywood, CA 91607 USA Tel: 8184877455 Fax: 8184877454 Tel: 8004522873 Email: TheIMF@myeloma.org Internet: http://www.myeloma.org
American Cancer Society, Inc. 1599 Clifton Road NE Atlanta, GA 30329 USA Tel: 4043203333 Tel: 8002272345 Internet: http://www.cancer.org
National Cancer Institute 6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A Bethesda, MD 20892-8322 USA Tel: 3014353848 Tel: 8004226237 TDD: 8003328615 Internet: http://www.cancer.gov
NIH/Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Cancer Research UK PO Box 123 Lincoln's Inn Fields London, Intl WC2A 3PX United Kingdom Tel: 020-7242 0200 Fax: 020-7269 3100 Internet: http://www.imperialcancer.co.uk
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation 51 Locust Avenue Suite 201 New Canaan, CT 06840 USA Tel: 2039721520 Fax: 2039721259 Email: info@themmrf.org Internet: http://www.multiplemyeloma.org
Patient Registries at Slone: Myeloma & MDS Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University 1010 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215 Tel: (617)734-6006 Fax: (617)738-5119 Tel: (800)231-3769 Email: registry@slone.bu.edu Internet: http://www.bu.edu/prs
Friends of Cancer Research 2231 Crystal Drive Suite 200 Arlington, VA 22202 Tel: (703)302-1503 Fax: (703)302-1568 Email: info@focr.org Internet: http://www.focr.org
UCSF Hemophilia Treatment Center 400 Parnassus Ave. First Floor San Francisco, CA 94143 Tel: (415)353-2986 Fax: (415)353-2600 Internet: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_services/blood/hemophilia/index.html
Cancer.Net American Society of Clinical Oncology 2318 Mill Road Suite 800 Alexandria, VA 22314 Tel: (571)483-1780 Fax: (571)366-9537 Tel: (888)651-3038 Email: contactus@cancer.net Internet: http://www.cancer.net/patient
Wellness Community 919 18th Street N.W. Suite 54 Washington, DC 20006 Tel: (202)659-9709 Fax: (202)659-9301 Tel: (888)793-9355 Email: help@thewellnesscommunity.org Internet: http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org
Lance Armstrong Foundation PO Box 161550 Austin, TX 78716-1150 Tel: (512)236-8820 Fax: (512)236-8482 Tel: (866)235-7205 Internet: http://www.livestrong.org
For a Complete Report
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (r) (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 4/25/2008 Copyright 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
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