 | Incidence | | | 10 /100 000/year |
| UK Incidence | | | 3,300/year |
| Median age | | | 65 years |
| M:F ratio | | | 2:1 |
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 | Disease Name; |
Multiple Myeloma
| Synonyms; |
Myeloma, myelomatosis
| Description; |
Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer which affects plasma cells in the bone marrow. Plasma cells normally produce antibodies and are a specialised form of blood cell called B-lymphocyte. In myeloma a single cell becomes malignant and produces a very large number of identical cells (a clone). In normal circumstances, the antibody molecules present in the blood are very varied in their structure, reflecting the large number of infections they may be required to combat. In patients with myeloma very large quantities of a single type of antibody are produced. This form of antibody is called para-protein and it is present in the blood and/or urine in about 99% of cases. Normal antibody levels are almost always reduced in myeloma. This, combined with a slight reduction in the numbers of neutrophils (special type of white blood cell), leads to a susceptibility to infections which may be life-threatening.
Last updated 20/03/2006 |
