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.
Osteosarcoma (4 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor that usually develops during the period of rapid growth which occurs in adolescence, as a teenager matures into an adult. Reviewer: Adam S. Levy, MD, Director, Fellowship Training Program, Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx,NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/22/2006
Multiple Myeloma(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Definition Multiple myeloma is a cancer in which antibodyproducing plasma cells grow in an uncontrolled and invasive (malignant) manner. Description Multiple myeloma, also known as plasma cell myeloma, is the second-most common cancer of the blood. It is the most common type of plasma cell neoplasm. Multiple myeloma accounts for approximately 1% of all cancers and 2% of all deaths from cancer. Multiple myeloma is a disease in which malignant plasma cells spread through the bone marrow and hard outer portions of the large bones of the body. These myeloma cells may form tumors called plasmacytomas. Eventually, multiple soft spots or holes, called osteolytic lesions, form in the bones. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue within the bones. The breastbone, spine, ribs, skull, pelvic bones, and the long bone of the thigh all are particularly rich in marrow. Bone marrow is a very active tissue that is responsible for producing the cells that circulate in the blood. These include the red blood cells that carry oxygen, the white blood cells that develop into immune system cells, and platelets, which cause blood to clot.
Osteosarcoma(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of cancer that originates in bone. (Most bone cancer develops from cancerous cells that have migrated from a tumor in another organ referred to as the primary site ). It may also be called osteogenic sarcoma or primary bone cancer.
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