Plasma cells help the body's immune system fight disease. Multiple myeloma occurs when plasma cells grow out of control. Excessive plasma cells can form a tumor in the bone marrow called a myeloma. Many tumors are called multiple myeloma.
The growth of the excess plasma cells interferes with the production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This causes anemia and makes a person more likely to get infections and have abnormal bleeding.
As the cancer cells grow in the bone marrow, they cause pain and destruction of the bones. If the bones in the spine are affected, it can put pressure on the nerves, resulting in numbness or paralysis.
Renal failure (kidney failure) is a frequent complication.
Multiple myeloma mainly affects older adults. A history of radiation therapy raises your risk for this type of cancer.
Ewing's sarcoma (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Ewing's sarcoma is a malignant (cancerous) bone tumor?that affects children. Reviewer: Stephen Grund, MD, PhD, Chief of Hematology/Oncology and Director of the George Bray Cancer Center at New Britain General Hospital, New Britain, CT. Review provided byVeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/21/2008
Bone pain or tenderness (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Bone pain or tenderness is aching or other discomfort in one or more bones. Reviewer: Thomas N. Joseoph, M.D., private practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/09/2007
Bone x-ray (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A bone x-ray may detect fractures, tumors, or degenerative conditions of the bone. Reviewer: Stuart Bentley-Hibbert, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/18/2007
Cancer - resources(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Resources - cancer The following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society - www.cancer.orgNational Cancer Institute - www.cancer.govReviewer: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy.Date: 10/11/2006