The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Multiple Myeloma includes the 45 symptoms listed below:
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The earliest indication of multiple myeloma is severe, constant back and rib pain that increases with exercise and may be worse at night. Arthritic symptoms may also occur: achiness, joint swelling, and tenderness, possibly from vertebral compression. Other effects include fever, malaise, slight evidence of peripheral neuropathy (such as peripheral paresthesia), and pathologic fractures. As multiple myeloma progresses, symptoms of vertebral compression may become acute, accompanied by anemia, weight loss, thoracic deformities (ballooning), and loss of body height (5 " [12.7 cm] or more) due to vertebral collapse. Renal complications such as pyelonephritis (caused by tubular damage from large amounts of Bence Jones protein, hypercalcemia, and hyperuricemia) may occur. Severe, recurrent infection such as pneumonia may follow damage to nerves associated with respiratory function.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Because people with multiple myeloma have an abnormally large number of identical plasma cells, they also have too much of one type of antibody. These myeloma cells and antibodies can cause a number of serious medical problems:
As myeloma cells increase in number, they damage and weaken bones, causing pain and sometimes fractures. Bone pain can make it difficult for patients to move.
When bones are damaged, calcium is released into the blood. This may lead to hypercalcemia -- too much calcium in the blood. Hypercalcemia can cause loss of appetite, nausea, thirst, fatigue, muscle weakness, restlessness, and confusion.
Myeloma cells prevent the bone marrow from forming normal plasma cells and other white blood cells that are important to the immune system. Patients may not be able to fight infection and disease.
The cancer cells also may prevent the growth of new red blood cells, causing anemia . Patients with anemia may feel unusually tired or weak.
Multiple myeloma patients may have serious problems with their kidneys . Excess antibody proteins and calcium can prevent the kidneys from filtering and cleaning the blood properly.
Symptoms of multiple myeloma depend on how advanced the disease is. In the earliest stage of the disease, there may be no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, patients commonly have bone pain, often in the back or ribs. Patients also may have broken bones, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, or repeated infections. When the disease is advanced, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, constipation, problems with urination, and weakness or numbness in the legs. These are not sure signs of multiple myeloma; they can be symptoms of other types of medical problems. A person should see a doctor if these symptoms occur. Only a doctor can determine what is causing a patient's symptoms. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Multiple Myeloma: NCI)
When considering symptoms of Multiple Myeloma, it is also important to consider Multiple Myeloma as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Multiple Myeloma may cause:
For a more detailed analysis of Multiple Myeloma as a symptom, including causes, drug side effect causes, and drug interaction causes, please see our Symptom Center information for Multiple Myeloma.
These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
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The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Multiple Myeloma. This signs and symptoms information for Multiple Myeloma has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Multiple Myeloma signs or Multiple Myeloma symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Multiple Myeloma may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Multiple Myeloma symptoms.
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