Multiple myeloma research

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that begins in the plasma cells in the bone marrow.

Plasma cells (mature B lymphocytes) are a type of white blood cell that produce antibodies and help the body fight infection and disease. Multiple myeloma occurs when these cells become altered and multiply uncontrollably in the bone marrow. This causes tumors to form in many bones in the body. These tumors can excessively increase calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia) damaging other organs of the body such as the kidneys, heart, muscles, nerves and gastrointestinal tract. Also, as the number of myeloma cells increases, the blood can thicken and prevent the bone marrow from producing enough healthy blood cells.

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic cancer with 5 new cases per 100,000 people per year. Although the disease is usually diagnosed in patients over the age of 65, this malignant neoplasm also occurs in people under 40 years of age. 

Although the causes of this disease are unknown, advances in research and personalized medicine are helping us to learn more and more about the disease.