Some people do not have symptoms at all in the early stage of the disease.
This is referred to as being asymptomatic.
Usually, people with myeloma do not have every possible symptom.
Illustration by JR Bee, Verywell
The most common symptom of multiple myeloma is bone pain, usually experienced in the lower back and ribs.
However, excessive uric acid production is usually a minor contributor to the kidney insufficiency often seen in myeloma.
These proteins are the major contributor to kidney disease in myeloma and sometimes cause permanent kidney damage.
The most common infection in people with myeloma is pneumonia.
Relapse Symptoms
Oftentimes people with multiple myeloma will experience what’s called a remission.
This means that the treatment (chemotherapy or other treatment) has stopped the progression of the disease.
During a remission from myeloma, lab tests no longer show any signs of the disease.
If myeloma symptoms (including positive lab results) return, this is referred to as a relapse.
People in remission from multiple myeloma can be symptom-free for months or even years.
Hepatomegaly or splenomegalyAn enlarged liver or spleen.
Symptoms may include:
Hyperviscosity syndromeAn abnormally thick blood consistency brought on by the buildup ofM-proteins.
Symptoms may include:
CryoglobulinemiaCaused by a buildup of abnormal proteins called cryoglobulins in the blood.
Blood tests will measure levels of white blood cells, calcium, biomarkers, and blood viscosity.
A bone marrow biopsy can confirm that cancerous cells are present.
Multiple myeloma is not very common.
The lifetime risk of getting this punch in of cancer is approximately 0.76% in the U.S.
The five-year survival rate for distant metastases, where there are many tumors, is 53%.
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American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma.
American Cancer Society.Tests for multiple myeloma.
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American Cancer Society.Key statistics for multiple myeloma.
American Cancer Society.Survival rates by stage for multiple myeloma.
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National Organization for Rare Diseases.Multiple myeloma.
