Myeloma Flashcards
Myeloma is a type of cancer affecting which cells?
Plasma cells in the bone marrow
Plasma cells are B-lymphocytes that produce…
antibodies
What is multiple myeloma?
Where the myeloma affects multiple bone marrow areas in the body
What are the 4 key features of myeloma?
CRAB
Calcium (elevated)
Renal failure
Anaemia
Bone lesions and bone pain
Why is anaemia the most common complication of myeloma?
The cancerous plasma cells invade the bone marrow, suppressing other blood cell lines leading to anaemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia.
What kind of anaemia does myeloma lead to?
Normocytic
Normochromic
Myeloma bone disease results from increased osteoclast activity and suppressed osteoblast activity. The metabolism of bone becomes imbalanced, what causes this?
Cytokines released from abnormal plasma cells
Where are common site of myeloma bone disease?
Skull, spine, long bones and ribs.
Patchy metabolism, so bone becomes very thing in some areas.
What are the areas of thin bone called?
Osteolytic lesions
What are plasmacytomas?
Individual tumours formed by cancerous plasma cells, can occur in bones replacing normal bone tissue or in soft tissues
Why can myeloma lead to renal disease?
Paraproteins deposited in the kidneys
Hypercalcaemia affecting kidney function
Dehydration
Glomerulonephritis
Medications
What increases the blood plasma viscosity?
Proteins like the paraproteins found in myeloma
What can hyperviscosity syndrome cause?
Bleeding
Visual symptoms and eye changes
Neurological complications eg stroke
Heart failure
What are risk factors for myeloma?
Older age
Male
Black ethnic origin
Family history
Obesity
What are some presenting features of myeloma?
Persistent bone pain
Pathological fractures
Unexplained fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Fever of unknown origin
Hypercalcaemia
Anaemia
Renal impairment
