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Myeloma, Multiple

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Myeloma, Multipleis not the name you expected.

Synonyms

Kahler Disease
Myelomatosis
Plasma Cell Myeloma

Disorder Subdivisions

Smoldering Myeloma
Plasma Cell Leukemia
Nonsecretory Myeloma
Osteosclerotic Myeloma
Solitary Plasmacytoma of Bone
Extramedullary Plasmacytoma

General Discussion

Multiple myeloma is a rare form of cancer characterized by excessive production (proliferation) and improper function of certain cells (plasma cells) found in the bone marrow. Plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell, are produced in the bone marrow and eventually enter the bloodstream. Excessive plasma cells may eventually mass together to form a tumor or tumors in various sites of the body, especially the bone marrow. If only a single tumor is present, the term solitary plasmocytoma is used. When multiple tumors are present, the term multiple myeloma is used. Plasma cells are a key component of the immune system and secrete a substance known as myeloma proteins (M-proteins), a type of antibody. Antibodies are special proteins that the body produces to combat invading microorganisms, toxins, or other foreign substances. Overproduction of plasma cells in affected individuals results in abnormally high levels of these proteins within the body.

Major symptoms of multiple myeloma may include bone pain, especially in the back and the ribs; low levels of circulating red blood cells (anemia) resulting in weakness, fatigue, and lack of color (pallor); and kidney (renal) abnormalities. In most cases, affected individuals are more susceptible to bacterial infections such as pneumonia. The exact cause of multiple myeloma is unknown.
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Resources

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
1311 Mamaroneck Ave
3rd Floor
White Plains
NY
10605
Tel: (914)949-5213
Fax: (914)949-6691
800: (800)955-4572
infocenter@LLS.org
http://www.LLS.org

International Myeloma Foundation
12650 Riverside Dr
Suite 206
North Hollywood
CA
91607
USA
Tel: (818)487-7455
Fax: (818)487-7454
800: (800)452-2873
TheIMF@myeloma.org
http://www.myeloma.org

American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta
GA
30329
USA
Tel: (404)320-3333
800: (800)227-2345
http://www.cancer.org

National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A
Bethesda
MD
20892-8322
USA
Tel: (301)435-3848
800: (800)422-6237
TDD: (800)332-8615
http://www.cancer.gov

NIH/Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
10 Center Dr, Building 10-CRC
3-5140, MSC-1202
Bethesda
MD
20892-1202
Tel: (301)402-0764
Fax: (301)402-3088
zamaniw@nhlbi.nih.gov
http://dir.nhlbi.nih.gov/labs/hb/index.asp?

Cancer Research UK
PO Box 123
Lincoln's Inn Fields
London
Intl
WC2A 3PX
United Kingdom
Tel: 020-7242 0200
Fax: 020-7269 3100
http://www.imperialcancer.co.uk

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
51 Locust Avenue
Suite 201
New Canaan
CT
06840
USA
Tel: (203)972-1520
Fax: (203)972-1259
info@themmrf.org
http://www.multiplemyeloma.org

Patient Registries at Slone: Myeloma & MDS
Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University
1010 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston
MA
02215
Tel: (617)734-6006
Fax: (617)738-5119
800: (800)231-3769
registry@slone.bu.edu
http://www.bu.edu/prs

Friends of Cancer Research
2231 Crystal Drive
Suite 200
Arlington
VA
22202
Tel: (703)302-1503
Fax: (703)302-1568
info@focr.org
http://www.focr.org

UCSF Hemophilia Treatment Center
400 Parnassus Ave.
First Floor
San Francisco
CA
94143
Tel: (415)353-2986
Fax: (415)353-2600
http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_services/blood/hemophilia/index.html

Cancer.Net
American Society of Clinical Oncology
2318 Mill Road
Suite 800
Alexandria
VA
22314
Tel: (571)483-1780
Fax: (571)366-9537
800: (888)651-3038
contactus@cancer.net
http://www.cancer.net/patient

Wellness Community
919 18th Street N.W.
Suite 54
Washington
DC
20006
Tel: (202)659-9709
Fax: (202)659-9301
800: (888)793-9355
help@thewellnesscommunity.org
http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org

Lance Armstrong Foundation
PO Box 161550
Austin
TX
78716-1150
Tel: (512)236-8820
Fax: (512)236-8482
800: (866)235-7205
http://www.livestrong.org

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 4/25/2008
Copyright 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: April 25, 2008

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