Myeloma

Myeloma may not cause any symptoms in its early stages. It may be diagnosed after a routine blood test, before any symptoms are noticed. Or it may be diagnosed after going to your GP or to hospital with symptoms.

Symptoms of myeloma can include:

• constant bone pain in 1 area (such as in the back, ribs, hip or pelvis)
• an increase in the risk of infection or having infections, one after another, that need antibiotics to treat them
• becoming anaemic and bruising and bleeding more easily – anaemia is when the number of red blood cells in your blood is low
• feeling extremely tired (fatigue)
• tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, though this is rare.

Myeloma may also cause symptoms because it has caused damage to the bones. This can include bone thinning and sometimes fractures. Bone damage can also cause high levels of calcium in the blood, called hypercalcaemia.

Myeloma can also cause symptoms if the kidneys are affected. These include feeling tired or confused and having problems peeing.

These symptoms can be caused by other conditions. But if you have any of these symptoms, it is important to get them checked by your GP.

There are different ways of managing myeloma symptoms.

Myeloma can be diagnosed in different ways. Some people may see their GP about symptoms. These include:

• pain in the bones
• tiredness
• having infections one after the other (recurrent infections)

Your GP may arrange for some blood tests or scans. If necessary, they then refer you to a doctor who specialises in blood conditions (heamatologist) at the hospital for more tests and treatment.

Some people are diagnosed with myeloma after going into hospital with more severe symptoms such as:

• being very unwell with an infection
• bone problems
• spinal cord compression
• kidney problems.

At the hospital the haematologist will examine you and arrange more tests. These can include:

You may also have scans, such as a CT scan or an MRI scan to look at the bones. An MRI scan is often used as well as a CT scan. Further tests may include:

• CT scan
• MRI scan
• PET-CT scans

In rare situations, x-ray of the bones are done, if an MRI and CT are not suitable. This is called a skeletal survey x-ray.

Waiting for test results can be a worrying time. We have more information to help.

There are different treatments for myeloma. A team of specialists meet to discuss and plan the best treatment for you. This is called a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Your doctor and nurse will explain the different treatments and their side effects. They can talk to you about things to consider when making treatment decisions.

The type of treatment your doctor offers you depends on a number of things, including your general health.

If the myeloma is not causing symptoms you do not usually need treatment straight away. Myeloma with no symptoms, is called smouldering or asymptomatic myeloma. You will have regular check-ups and tests. This is called active monitoring.

If the myeloma begins to cause symptoms, you will start treatment. Myeloma with symptoms, is called active or symptomatic myeloma. If you have active myeloma, you may have intensive treatment or less intensive treatment. 

Less intensive treatments include:

• targeted therapies
• chemotherapy
• steroids
• managing symptoms.

Usually, a combination of these treatments is used. 

Some people might be have intensive treatment. This depends on how the myeloma is affecting you and your general health. If your doctor thinks this treatment is suitable for you, they will talk with you about this.

Your doctor may suggest continuing treatment until they get the best possible response for you. Or you may be given treatment for as long as it controls the myeloma. This is called continuous or maintenance treatment.

We have more information about treatment for myeloma.

You may be offered some treatments as part of a clinical trial.

Myeloma can cause symptoms if it affects areas of the body such as the bones, kidneys, blood or nerves. Symptom control is important part of treatment for anyone diagnosed with myeloma.

We have more information about:

• Managing myeloma bone problems and treatments that might be used.
• Managing other symptoms such as, kidney problems or infections.

We want everyone affected by cancer to feel our information is written for them.

We want our information to be as clear as possible. To do this, we try to:

• use plain English
• explain medical words
• use short sentences
• use illustrations to explain text
• structure the information clearly
• make sure important points are clear.

We use gender-inclusive language and talk to our readers as ‘you’ so that everyone feels included. Where clinically necessary we use the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ or ‘male’ and ‘female’. For example, we do so when talking about parts of the body or mentioning statistics or research about who is affected.

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