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Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, is formed by malignant plasma cells. Normal plasma cells are an important part of the immune system. The immune system is composed of several types of cells that work together to fight infections and other diseases. Lymphocytes (lymph cells) are the main cell type of the immune system. There are 2 types of lymphocytes: T cells and B cells.

When B cells respond to an infection, they mature and change into plasma cells. Plasma cells live mainly in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft, inner part of bones. The role of plasma cells is to produce and release proteins called antibodies (or immunoglobulins) to attack and help kill disease-causing germs such as bacteria and viruses. When plasma cells grow out of control, they can produce a tumor. These tumors generally develop in the bone marrow. If there is only one tumor, it is called a plasmacytoma. Usually, the plasma cell tumors are spread throughout the bone marrow and then they are referred to as myeloma or multiple myeloma.


The overgrowth of plasma cells can interfere with the normal blood-forming functions of the bone marrow. This can result in a shortage of red blood cells, a condition called anemia. Anemia causes fatigue. A shortage of blood platelets (cells that seal damaged blood vessels) can also occur. This can lead to excessive bleeding after cuts or scrapes. Another problem caused by an excess of plasma cells is leukopenia, a condition in which there is a shortage of normal infection-fighting white blood cells. A shortage of these cells causes decreased resistance to infections.
Approximately 50% of multiple myeloma patients experience kidney problems, making renal safety a key consideration.
Multiple Myeloma is the second largest of the blood cancers, affects an estimated 750,000 people worldwide and accounts for about1% of all cancers.