Multiple myeloma

MM also known as plasma cell myeloma and simply myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells
Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that normally produces antibodies.
Often, no symptoms are noticed initially. As it progresses, bone pain, anemia, kidney dysfunction, and infections may occur.
Complications may include hypercalcemia and amyloidosis.

Many organs can be affected by myeloma. The CRAB criteria are:
- Calcium: Serum calcium higher than the upper limit of normal.
- Renal insufficiency
- Anemia
- Bone lesions: Osteolytic lesions on skeletal radiography, CT, or PET/CT

Some symptoms (e.g., weakness, confusion, and fatigue) may be due to anemia or hypercalcemia. Headache, visual changes, and retinopathy may be the result of blood hyperviscosity
Radicular pain, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Neuropathies and Paraplegia due to infiltration of peripheral nerves by amyloid
Loss of bowel or bladder control due to involvement of spinal cord leading to cord compression

The initial symptoms may involve pain, numbness, swelling, expansion of the jaw, tooth mobility, and radiolucency.
Common tooth problems such as periapical abscess or periodontal abscess, gingivitis, periodontitis, or masses.

The cause of multiple myeloma is generally unknown.

Risk factors such as Obesity is related to multiple myeloma with each increase of body mass index by five increasing the relative risk by 11%.
Occupational exposure to aromatic hydrocarbon solvents may have a role in causation of multiple myeloma.

Rarely, EBV is associated with multiple myeloma, particularly in individuals who have an immunodeficiency due to e.g. HIV/AIDS, organ transplantation, or a chronic inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis.
EBV-positive multiple myeloma is classified by the WHO (2016) as one form of the EBV-associated lymphoproliferative diseases and termed EBV-associated plasma cell myeloma.
EBV-positive disease is more common in the plasmacytoma rather than multiple myeloma form of plasma cell cancer.

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