Definition of Cancer, multiple myeloma
Cancer, multiple myeloma: A bone marrow cancer
involving a type of white blood cell called a plasma (or myeloma) cell. The tumor cells
can form a single collection (a plasmacytoma) or many tumors (multiple myeloma). Plasma
cells are part of the immune system and make antibodies. Because patients have an excess
of identical plasma cells, they have too much of one type of antibody. As myeloma cells
increase in number, they damage and weaken the bones, causing pain and often fractures.
When bones are damaged, calcium is released into the blood leading to hypercalcemia
(excess calcium in the blood) and that causes loss of appetite, nausea, thirst, fatigue,
muscle weakness, restlessness, and confusion. Myeloma cells prevent the bone marrow from
forming normal plasma cells and other white blood cells important to the immune system so
patients may not be able to fight infections. The cancer cells can also prevent the growth
of new red blood cells, causing anemia. Excess antibody proteins and calcium may prevent
the kidneys from filtering and cleaning the blood properly Cancer, non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma: A lymphoma is a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. The most common
symptom of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is a painless swelling in the lymph nodes in the
neck, underarm, or groin. Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are diagnosed with a biopsy of an
enlarged lymph node. Follow-up examinations are important after lymphoma treatment. Most
relapses occur in the first 2 years after therapy.
Last Editorial Review: 3/26/1998 2:24:00 PM
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