Types of myeloma

There are different types of myeloma. They may cause different symptoms, but they are all usually treated in the same way.

About 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.

Each type of myeloma is named after the abnormal immunoglobulin (paraprotein) that the myeloma cells make.

The most common type of myeloma is IgG, followed by IgA. The least common types are IgM, IgD and IgE.

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

Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell, which fight infection. They make different types of antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that travel in the blood and help fight any viruses or bacteria in the body. Antibodies are also called immunoglobulins.

If you have an infection, your bone marrow produces more plasma cells and immunoglobulins to fight against it.

Myeloma cells

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 of myeloma.

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

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

What are immunoglobulins?

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, called IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG or IgM. The ‘Ig’ is short for immunoglobulin.

An immunoglobulin

A plasma cell producing immunoglobulins with a close-up of 1 immunoglobulin, showing its Y-shape structure with heavy and light protein chains. — Image: This diagram shows a plasma cell and immunoglobulins. An arrow from the plasma cell points to a collection of immunoglobulins, which are produced by the plasma cell. A close-up of 1 of the immunoglobulins shows its structure. There are 2 heavy protein chains which form a Y shape. There are 2 light protein chains, 1 on each side of the upper part of the heavy protein chains.

Light chain or Bence Jones myeloma

There is also a type of myeloma called light chain myeloma, or Bence Jones myeloma. This is when the myeloma cells make too many light chains. This type of myeloma does not make an abnormal immunoglobulin. The light chains can be found in a blood or urine test.

Non-secretory myeloma

Non-secretory myeloma is a type of myeloma that does not produce light chains or abnormal immunoglobulins. This can make it harder to diagnose and monitor.

You may have other tests to diagnose non-secretory myeloma. These may include bone marrow tests, or scans (such as an MRI or PET-CT).

Plasma cell conditions related to myeloma

There are other conditions that affect plasma cells, which can sometimes develop into myeloma. These are the 2 most common conditions:

Smouldering myeloma, which is sometimes called asymptomatic myeloma. Asymptomatic means you have no symptoms.
MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance), which is a non- cancerous condition that affects plasma cells. It is also sometimes called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.

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 test.

Sometimes abnormal plasma cells are found in a bone in only 1 area of the body. This is called a 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.

References

Below is a sample of the sources used in our myeloma information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk

Hughes D, Yong K, Ramasamy K, et al. Diagnosis and management of smouldering myeloma: A British Society for Haematology Good Practice Paper. Br J Haematol. 2024;204(4):1193-1206. Available from: www.doi.org/10.1111/bjh.19333

Sive J, Cuthill K, Hunter H, et al. Guidelines on the diagnosis, investigation and initial treatment of myeloma: a British Society for Haematology/UK Myeloma Forum Guideline. Br J Haematol.2021;193(2):245-268. Available from: www.doi.org/10.1111/bjh.17410

Cancer Information Development team

Author

Dr Gillian Horne

Reviewer

Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Honorary Consultant in Molecular Diagnostics and Leukaemia

Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow

Date reviewed

Reviewed: 01 July 2025

Next review: 01 July 2028

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