Am I at risk for getting multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma risk factors include:
- Age: Myeloma most often occurs in individuals older than 60. The prognostic age at diagnosis is 70. Just 2% of cases arise in people younger than 40
- Black race: Black people are about twice at risk to develop multiple myeloma compared to white people
- Family history of multiple myeloma: When a brother, sister or parent has multiple myeloma, the risk of the disease is increased
- Gender: In male populations multiple myelomas are more common than in female individuals
- Obesity: Obese people are more likely to develop the disease
- Other Plasma Diseases: People with a self-history of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) are at greater risk of developing multiple myeloma
- Chemical Exposures: Individuals exposed to radiation or chemicals are more likely to develop multiple myeloma
- Autoimmune Disease: Autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis can often lead to the risk of developing multiple myeloma
Complications
Complications of multiple myeloma include:
- Frequent infections: Myeloma cells inhibit the ability of the body to fight infections thereby the individuals are prone to have infections
- Bone problems: Multiple myeloma can also affect the bones leading to bone pain thinning bones and fragile or broken bones
- Reduced kidney function: Multiple myeloma can cause kidney function problems including kidney failure. Higher levels of calcium in the blood associated with eroding bones can interfere with the ability of the kidneys to filter the waste from the blood. The proteins which myeloma cells produce may cause similar problems
- Low red blood cell count (anemia): When myeloma cells crowd out normal blood cells multiple myeloma may also cause anemia and other blood problems
- Blood circulation problems: Sometimes the infection spread in the plasma cells can interfere with blood circulation causing blood circulation related problems
1800 208 2000
