Myeloma Cells Collect in Bone Marrow

Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell‚ and they are part of the body’s immune system. When they are normal‚ they help fight infection and disease. In people with multiple myeloma‚ plasma cells become cancerous‚ and the body produces too many of them. Bone marrow is a spongy network of tissue that fills the center of most bones. Cancerous plasma cells‚ or myeloma‚ in the bone marrow can form plasma cell tumors that spread to the bone’s outer covering. This occurs in 70%-95% of patients with multiple myeloma.

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Myeloma Cells Can Cause Bone Damage

Eventually‚ the myeloma cells wear away portions of bone‚ leaving small holes called osteolytic lesions.

How Multiple Myeloma Damages Bone

This wearing away process causes eroded bone to appear as circular‚ punched out areas. It leaves bones weak and fragile.

Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma

Bone pain‚ usually in the lower back or ribs‚ is a common early symptom of multiple myeloma‚ so it’s important to pay attention to how your bones feel. Tell your doctor about any pain you feel‚ even if you think it might be due to some other problem‚ such as arthritis or stiffness from lack of activity‚ a muscle pull or strain. Sometimes‚ a fracture is the first sign of bone damage.

Bone fractures–As cancer weakens the bones‚ the risk of fractures increases. The ribs and spine are the most common sites of fractures. Long bone fractures are usually the most disabling.

Hypercalcemia–When bones release calcium into the bloodstream in amounts that are dangerous‚ hypercalcemia is the result. This condition may occur with bone metastases due to excessive bone loss. Symptoms of hypercalcemia include nausea‚ vomiting‚ heart palpitations‚ loss of appetite‚ depression‚ and fatigue.

Be sure to talk to your doctor if you develop bone pain or notice any other symptoms that are unusual for you. Print questions you may wish to ask your doctor about cancer and bone health.

Identification of Bone Lesions

Several procedures may be used to detect bone lesions from multiple myeloma. A bone scan—often the first method of checking for bone lesions—may be followed by other testing‚ including x-rays‚ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or position emission tomography (PET) scans.

Treatment for Patients with Multiple Myeloma

ZOMETA is a treatment for multiple myeloma that may reduce or delay bone problems‚ such as fractures that can result from bone damage. ZOMETA can still help patients who already have experienced bone complications. ZOMETA is not chemotherapy and may be used with other cancer treatments‚ such as radiation‚ hormonal therapy‚ or chemotherapy.

ZOMETA is a more convenient 15-minute infusion given every 3 to 4 weeks in a doctor’s office or at a clinic.

Ask your doctor about ZOMETA and see if ZOMETA may be right for you.