Bone marrow is a spongy structure located inside the bones. It contains stem cells, which are the precursors of blood elements. These stem cells; It transforms into red blood cells (red blood cell) responsible for the distribution of oxygen to the body, white blood cells (white blood cells) that help the body fight infection, and platelets that enable blood to clot.
What is Bone Marrow Cancer?
Bone marrow cancer occurs due to abnormal division of cells in the marrow, thus increasing their number. Although leukemia and lymphoma are cancers that occur with the increase of cells in the bone marrow, the most common bone marrow cancer is multiple myeloma.
Multiple Myeloma is characterized by an abnormal increase in plasma cells whose main task is to recognize microorganisms that enter the body and produce antibodies that neutralize these microorganisms. It is a cancer.
What are the Symptoms of Bone Marrow Cancer?
Symptoms may differ from person to person. There may be patients who show no symptoms or there may be patients who show more than one symptom. The severity of symptoms can also vary between individuals. Common symptoms:
- Bone Pain: The pain seen in Multiple Myeloma is mainly seen in the bones affected by the cancer. Usually there is pain in the back, ribs and hip bones. The pain may be of a dull character or a type of pain that worsens with movement.
- Bone Fractures: Myeloma causes the bones to become weak and brittle easily. In particular, the spine and long bones (arm and leg bones) are the bones most often affected. Fractures in the spine can cause damage to the spinal cord. Damage caused by compression on the nerves; It can have serious consequences such as numbness and loss of strength in the legs and feet, tingling, loss of bladder and bowel control. Spinal cord injury is a very serious condition. Anemia (Anemia): Multiple Myeloma may cause a decrease in the production of red blood cells as it will disrupt the normal functioning of the bone marrow. As anemia this In people who have this disease; fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, palpitations in the heart can be observed. Anemia can be seen as a result of Multiple Myeloma, or as a side effect during the treatment of this disease.
- Recurrent Infections: The balance between immune system elements is impaired in patients with Multiple Myeloma. This leads to a decrease in the ability to fight infection. Patients have frequent and long-lasting infectious diseases.
- Increase in Blood Calcium Level: In a healthy body, the calcium level in the blood is kept within a certain range. If your calcium level falls below or above this range, it can have serious consequences. In Multiple Myeloma patients, if there is an abnormal release of calcium from the bone into the blood, the blood calcium level will increase. This condition is called hypercalcemia. hypercalcemia; It causes extreme thirst, feeling sick, abdominal pain, frequent urination, constipation, and confusion. Hypercalcemia is a condition that requires immediate medical attention. For this reason, it would be beneficial for people with these symptoms to apply to the nearest health institution. As a result, patients may experience recurrent nosebleeds and gingival bleeding. Heavy menstrual periods are also among the symptoms that can be seen in female patients. This situation; It can cause problems such as blurred vision, headache, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
- Kidney Disorders: Multiple Myeloma can cause damage to the kidneys, leading to a picture that can go up to kidney failure. Loss of appetite and weight, swelling of hands and feet, fatigue and weakness, shortness of breath, skin itching and constant hiccups; are symptoms that can be seen in kidney failure.
Causes Bone Marrow Cancer?
Bone marrow cancer occurs due to an increase in plasma cells, which are white blood cells. However, the cause of this increase has not been clarified yet. abnormally increased plasma A cells continue to divide before they mature and do not die like normal cells. For this reason, increased plasma cells begin to accumulate in the bone marrow and suppress the production of normal cells. Anemia, recurrent infection and blood coagulation problems are seen due to insufficient production of cells other than plasma cells.
Myeloma cells are different from healthy plasma cells. Myeloma cells try to produce antibodies like normal plasma cells. However, the antibodies produced are not functional and cannot be used by the immune system. These abnormal antibodies, called monoclonal antibodies or M proteins, accumulate in the body and cause kidney problems. In addition, cancer cells cause bone damage, increasing the risk of fracture.
Multiple myeloma almost always has a more benign onset, called Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS). Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance also has an increase in M proteins, which are abnormal antibodies, as in multiple myeloma. However, the level of M proteins is lower and does not cause any damage to the body. In the presence of certain factors, the risk of multiple myeloma increases. These are:
- Advanced age
- Male gender
- Family history of multiple myeloma cancer
- Bone marrow cancer in the presence of monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS) The risk of bone marrow cancer has increased.
How is Bone Marrow Cancer Diagnosed and How is the Treatment?
Bone marrow cancer can be diagnosed based on the signs and symptoms in the person, as well as the bone marrow cancer. Cancer can also be discovered incidentally during routine blood tests. Blood and urine tests can be used in the diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma. A blood and urine test can look for M proteins produced by abnormal plasma cells in the blood. Also blood test; It is an important test in terms of showing conditions such as anemia, kidney function disorders, blood calcium levels that can be seen in myeloma. Taking tissue from the bone marrow with the help of a needle and examining it is also a valuable method used in diagnosis. Imaging methods can also be assisted in diagnosis.
The stages of bone marrow cancer determine the treatment method and duration, as in other types of cancer. It is an important indicator used in the measurement. In bone marrow cancer staging:
- Blood albumin level
- Blood beta-2-microglobulin level
- Blood LDH level
- Genetic factors involved in cancer formation Four factors are taken into account, including abnormalities. differs. Treatment may not be started immediately in people with Multiple Myeloma who do not show symptoms. In cases where the cancer progresses slowly and is at an early stage, treatment may not be required. Multiple myeloma treatment is performed in order to reduce the severity of symptoms and to stop the progression of the disease in people with symptoms.
In myeloma treatment; There are many different options such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bone marrow transplant. These options can be used in different combinations depending on the condition of the patients. Steroids are also drugs that can be used to suppress excessive inflammation caused by cancer. Factors such as the stage of the cancer and the general health status of the patient are of great importance in determining the appropriate treatment protocol. Multiple Myeloma is a bone marrow cancer that can cause serious complications in the body and require urgent intervention.
You can ask the expert team of Group Florence Nightingale Hospitals about the issues you are wondering about bone marrow cancer, and you can ask for suggestions regarding your question. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.Read: 20
