Myeloma, Multiple

Content provided by National Organization for Rare Disorders

Important

It is possible that the main title of the report Myeloma, Multiple is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

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

Tel: (800)955-4572

Email: infocenter@LLS.org

Internet: http://www.LLS.org



International Myeloma Foundation

12650 Riverside Dr

Suite 206

North Hollywood, CA 91607

USA

Tel: 8184877455

Fax: 8184877454

Tel: 8004522873

Email: TheIMF@myeloma.org

Internet: http://www.myeloma.org



American Cancer Society, Inc.

1599 Clifton Road NE

Atlanta, GA 30329

USA

Tel: 4043203333

Tel: 8002272345

Internet: http://www.cancer.org



National Cancer Institute

6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A

Bethesda, MD 20892-8322

USA

Tel: 3014353848

Tel: 8004226237

TDD: 8003328615

Internet: http://www.cancer.gov



NIH/Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)



Tel: (301)402-0764

Fax: (301)402-3088

Email: zamaniw@nhlbi.nih.gov

Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhlbi/seekpat/hematol.htm



Cancer Research UK

PO Box 123

Lincoln's Inn Fields

London, Intl WC2A 3PX

United Kingdom

Tel: 020-7242 0200

Fax: 020-7269 3100

Internet: http://www.imperialcancer.co.uk



Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

51 Locust Avenue

Suite 201

New Canaan, CT 06840

USA

Tel: 2039721520

Fax: 2039721259

Email: info@themmrf.org

Internet: 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

Tel: (800)231-3769

Email: registry@slone.bu.edu

Internet: 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

Email: info@focr.org

Internet: 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

Internet: 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

Tel: (888)651-3038

Email: contactus@cancer.net

Internet: 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

Tel: (888)793-9355

Email: help@thewellnesscommunity.org

Internet: http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org



Lance Armstrong Foundation

PO Box 161550

Austin, TX 78716-1150

Tel: (512)236-8820

Fax: (512)236-8482

Tel: (866)235-7205

Internet: 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

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Last updated:	April 25, 2008