Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that forms in a plasma cell, a type of white blood cell. It is considered a rare cancer. Worldwide, an estimated 176,404 people were diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2020. There were about 12,000 cases in India in 2020.
Multiple myeloma is treatable and survival rates are better, especially if the disease is diagnosed early and treated.
Overview
Multiple Myeloma (MM) is also called Kahler’s disease. It is a cancer of the plasma cells. Plasma cells are normally found in the bone marrow and play an important part in our immune system. They are responsible for producing antibodies called immunoglobulins which attack and kill germs. When plasma cells become cancerous and divide rapidly, it is called Multiple Myeloma. Cancerours plsma cells make an abnormal protein called monoclonal immunoglobulin or M-protein/spike or paraprotein. In urine, they are called Bence Jones proteins. These proteins do not fight against germs and infections.
This abnormal protein is also produced in other Plasma cell Disorders, which may put you at a higher risk of Multiple Myeloma in the future.
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