Myeloma, Multiple

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Myeloma, Multiple is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Kahler Disease
Myelomatosis
Plasma Cell Myeloma

Disorder Subdivisions

Smoldering Myeloma
Plasma Cell Leukemia
Nonsecretory Myeloma
Osteosclerotic Myeloma
Solitary Plasmacytoma of Bone
Extramedullary Plasmacytoma

General Discussion

Multiple myeloma is a rare form of cancer characterized by excessive production (proliferation) and improper function of certain cells (plasma cells) found in the bone marrow. Plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell, are produced in the bone marrow and eventually enter the bloodstream. Excessive plasma cells may eventually mass together to form a tumor or tumors in various sites of the body, especially the bone marrow. If only a single tumor is present, the term solitary plasmocytoma is used. When multiple tumors are present, the term multiple myeloma is used. Plasma cells are a key component of the immune system and secrete a substance known as myeloma proteins (M-proteins), a type of antibody. Antibodies are special proteins that the body produces to combat invading microorganisms, toxins, or other foreign substances. Overproduction of plasma cells in affected individuals results in abnormally high levels of these proteins within the body.

Major symptoms of multiple myeloma may include bone pain, especially in the back and the ribs; low levels of circulating red blood cells (anemia) resulting in weakness, fatigue, and lack of color (pallor); and kidney (renal) abnormalities. In most cases, affected individuals are more susceptible to bacterial infections such as pneumonia. The exact cause of multiple myeloma is unknown.
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Resources

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
1311 Mamaroneck Ave
3rd Floor
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)949-5213
Fax: (914)949-6691
Tel: (800)955-4572
Email: infocenter@LLS.org
Internet: http://www.LLS.org

International Myeloma Foundation
12650 Riverside Dr
Suite 206
North Hollywood, CA 91607
USA
Tel: 8184877455
Fax: 8184877454
Tel: 8004522873
Email: TheIMF@myeloma.org
Internet: http://www.myeloma.org

American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
USA
Tel: 4043203333
Tel: 8002272345
Internet: http://www.cancer.org

National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A
Bethesda, MD 20892-8322
USA
Tel: 3014353848
Tel: 8004226237
TDD: 8003328615
Internet: http://www.cancer.gov

NIH/Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Tel: (301)402-0764
Fax: (301)402-3088
Email: zamaniw@nhlbi.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhlbi/seekpat/hematol.htm

Cancer Research UK
PO Box 123
Lincoln's Inn Fields
London, Intl WC2A 3PX
United Kingdom
Tel: 020-7242 0200
Fax: 020-7269 3100
Internet: http://www.imperialcancer.co.uk

Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
51 Locust Avenue
Suite 201
New Canaan, CT 06840
USA
Tel: 2039721520
Fax: 2039721259
Email: info@themmrf.org
Internet: http://www.multiplemyeloma.org

Patient Registries at Slone: Myeloma & MDS
Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University
1010 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
Tel: (617)734-6006
Fax: (617)738-5119
Tel: (800)231-3769
Email: registry@slone.bu.edu
Internet: http://www.bu.edu/prs

Friends of Cancer Research
2231 Crystal Drive
Suite 200
Arlington, VA 22202
Tel: (703)302-1503
Fax: (703)302-1568
Email: info@focr.org
Internet: http://www.focr.org

UCSF Hemophilia Treatment Center
400 Parnassus Ave.
First Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143
Tel: (415)353-2986
Fax: (415)353-2600
Internet: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_services/blood/hemophilia/index.html

Cancer.Net
1900 Duke Street
Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: (703)299-0150
Fax: (703)684-8618
Tel: (888)651-3038
Email: contactus@plwc.org
Internet: http://www.cancer.net/patient

Wellness Community
919 18th Street N.W.
Suite 54
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202)659-9709
Fax: (202)659-9301
Tel: (888)793-9355
Email: help@thewellnesscommunity.org
Internet: http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org

Lance Armstrong Foundation
PO Box 161550
Austin, TX 78716-1150
Tel: (512)236-8820
Fax: (512)236-8482
Tel: (866)235-7205
Internet: http://www.livestrong.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 4/25/2008
Copyright 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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