Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow. This is the tissue inside bones that makes red and white blood cells and platelets. Multiple myeloma specifically affects the white blood cells. Without white cells, your body can't protect itself from infections.

Myeloma cells are abnormal white blood cells that grow rapidly and uncontrollably. This can interfere with the growth and function of normal cells made by the bone marrow. These cancer cells also make abnormal proteins that can build up in the body. The cancer cells collect in the bone marrow and in the hard, outer part of bones. Sometimes they collect in only one bone and form a single tumor. Usually, they collect in many bones, forming many tumors. That's why it's called multiple myeloma.

This cancer most often occurs in people between the ages of 50 and 70, and affects blacks twice as much as whites. There has been a steady increase in incidence in recent years.

The most common symptom of multiple myeloma is bone pain, often in the back or ribs. You might also have broken bones, tiredness, weight loss, or repeated infections. Your doctor will order a number of tests to determine the cause of the symptoms. In a bone marrow aspiration, the doctor inserts a needle into the pelvic or breast bone to withdraw a sample of fluid, cells, or solid tissue from the marrow. They are examined under a microscope for myeloma cells.

Chemotherapy and drugs similar to cortisone are commonly used to control the disease. Radiation is used to relieve bone pain. There has been some success recently using chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

To learn more about multiple myloma, call the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345 or the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER.

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