Multiple myeloma is one of the varieties of malignant tumors, arising from blood plasma cells. Myeloma is defined as «multiple» because the malignant myeloma cells accumulate and affect many parts of the bone marrow.

 Myeloma is most frequent in adults. Cases when myeloma strikes people younger than 30 years of age, are extremely rare.

Cancer tissue grows normally in the flat bones (skull, ribs and pelvis) and the spine, resulting in processes of bone destruction - osteolisis and osteoporosis. When examining the X-ray, lesions can be determined by the form smooth holes. In addition to bone marrow, tumor infiltration is often found in other organs. As a consequence of bone destruction the level of calcium in blood dramatically increases, which results in calcium suspension in the form of sand and stones in the excretory organs such as kidneys, lungs and gastric mucosa. Kidneys failure often occurs due to paraproteins delivery through the renal filter. Myeloma is often accompanied by frequent bacterial infections as a result of reduced quantity of normal immunoglobulin and disorder of antibodies formation.

 Diagnosis is based on laboratory studies and clinical picture of the patient. The methods of diagnosis of multiple myeloma include:               Blood and urine tests for antibodies, accumulating in large quantities in the blood and urine.

              Bone marrow biopsy can detect myeloma cells and confirm the diagnosis.               X-ray of bones makes it possible to identify the damaged bone tissue by myeloma cells.               Computer tomography (CT) helps detect the changes in bones and perform precise biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.               Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful method for the study of bones, enabling more information regarding the development of the disease.

Treatment is started only with the active form of multiple myeloma. The disease cannot be fully cured. The goals of treatment are defined as follows:

 1. Control of the disease and achievement of long remission. 2. Increase in life expectancy. 3. Maintaining the highest standard of life possible.

Among possible treatment methods are cytostatic drugs, radiation therapy, hormone drugs, transfusions of erythrocytes and blood. If infection is developed – antibiotics and gamma globulin are used. It is important to conduct regular orthopedic corrections. Transplantation of bone marrow or stem cells is used in the case of high-dose chemotherapy. This can be used as bone marrow or stem cells from the patient (autologous transplant) or a donor (allogenic transplantation).

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