Risk Factors, Complications, And Treatment Options For Multiple Myeloma

Anemia

Anemia is a manifestation in individuals affected by multiple myeloma. Around two-thirds of individuals diagnosed with multiple myeloma are affected by anemia at the time they are diagnosed with the disease. Multiple myeloma is characterized by an uncontrollable overgrowth of blood plasma cells in an individual's bone marrow. Plasma cells are important because they produce antibodies and white blood cells that help the body fight off infection and foreign pathogens. In healthy individuals, the bone marrow is able to produce sufficient numbers of both red and white blood cells because it keeps a delicate balance in place. However, this balance is thrown off in individuals with multiple myeloma because the white blood cells take up space and crowd out the marrow, which makes it difficult for the marrow to produce enough healthy blood-forming cells. Without a sufficient number of blood-forming cells, the marrow cannot produce red blood cells that function to carry oxygen to different tissues around the body. This mechanism results in anemia or a low red blood cell count in the individual. A standard blood test can identify low hemoglobin levels, and low red blood cell counts to confirm the presence of anemia.