Types of myeloma

There are different types of myeloma. They may cause different symptoms, but they are all usually treated in the same way. We have more information about treating myeloma.

To understand about the different types of myeloma, it can help to know a little bit about plasma cells.

Immunoglobulins are Y-shaped structures that are made up of:

• 2 long protein chains, called heavy chains
• 2 shorter protein chains, called light chains.

There are 2 types of light chain. They are called kappa and lambda. These are Greek letters. You may sometimes see the Greek symbols for them used.

There are 5 types of heavy chain, referred to by the letters A, D, E, G and M.

Immunoglobulins are named after the type of heavy chain they are made up of. This means there are 5 immunoglobulins (Ig), called IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG or IgM.

Normally, plasma cells are made in a controlled way. With myeloma, the process is out of control and lots of abnormal (cancerous) plasma cells are made. These are called myeloma cells.

The myeloma cells fill up the bone marrow. This makes it harder for the bone marrow to make enough other normal blood cells. This causes some of the symptoms symptoms of myeloma.

Myeloma cells usually make an abnormal immunoglobulin. This could be any one of the 5 types of immunoglobulin. The abnormal immunoglobulin is sometimes called a paraprotein, or M protein.

Having fewer normal immunoglobulins means it can be harder for your body to fight infections.

There are other conditions that affect plasma cells, which can sometimes develop into myeloma. These conditions do not normally cause symptoms. They are usually diagnosed after a routine blood test. Usually, you do not need treatment. But your doctor will regularly monitor you with blood tests.

Plasma cell conditions related to myeloma include:

• Smouldering myeloma - smouldering myeloma is sometimes called asymptomatic myeloma. Asymptomatic means you have no symptoms. We have more information about monitoring smouldering myeloma.
• MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance) - MGUS is a non-cancerous condition that affects plasma cells. It is also sometimes called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. We have more information about MGUS.
• Solitary plasmacytoma - sometimes abnormal plasma cells are found in a bone in only one area of the body. This is called solitary plasmacytoma. Rarely, it can be outside the bone. This condition is often treated with radiotherapy. If you have a solitary plasmacytoma there is a risk you may develop myeloma. Your doctor will regularly monitor you with blood tests to check for this.