Multiple myeloma, or myeloma, is a hematologic malignancy that closely resembles leukemia. In the United States, multiple myeloma represents about 1% of cancer cases. Patients with myeloma seem to have no established risk factors, although some factors have been associated with the disease.¹

Symptoms of myeloma may include bone pain and skeletal fractures, infections, weight loss, hypercalcemia, loss of kidney function, and hyperviscosity. A majority of patients with the disease report pain. Diagnosis is based on blood, urine, bone marrow, and imaging tests. Staging indicates how much disease is present and if or how the disease has affected bone or bone marrow function.¹

Treatment strategies are intended to slow the progression of disease, prolong survival, alleviate symptoms, and improve quality of life. Treatment approaches include chemotherapy, high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation, radiation therapy, and drug treatments. There is currently no cure for multiple myeloma.¹

When cancer cells move from the original site and spread to other parts of the body, the disease is said to have metastasized. Bone metastasis defines cancer that has spread to bones. Since myeloma originates in the bone marrow, it does not actually spread, or metastasize. However, as cancerous plasma cells increase in number in the bone marrow, they cause lesions, or areas of breakdown, in the surrounding bone; these lesions resemble metastases.

Patients with myeloma often have skeletal-related complications due to an imbalance in bone resorption versus bone formation. Addressing these complications is an important part of treatment.²