Diagnosing Multiple Myeloma
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Multiple Myeloma also known as Kahler's disease is a cancer that happens in the bone marrow. It belongs to a broad group of diseases which are known as Hematological malignancies. It occurs when plasma cells become malignant and stop bringing out antibodies. Most incidents of Multiple Myeloma happen to people of ages between 60 and 70 and it's highly unlikely for anything like that to happen to a person less than 30 years of age. Males get affected more by this disease than females.
The disease is called Multiple Myeloma because the infected cells gather at different parts of the body and then it multiplies and grows out of control. It causes extreme pain in the bones and ultimately detonates it. Spine and ribs pain the most and it only gets worse when you do some activity. It is generally accompanied by kidney problems which develop with time. Constant and unbearable pain during such circumstances generally indicates pathological bone fractures. As the situation worsens the bones break down and release excess calcium in to the blood causing Hypocalcaemia. This is most likely the last stage where the infection spreads ultimately leading to Death. Around 40,000 people in United States have this disease and the numbers are rising every day. The disease spreads fast and right diagnosis is extremely important when it comes to treatment.
It's a malignant tumor which originates from the bone and is a proliferation of plasma cells which subsequently result in overproduction of monoclonal immunoglobin so; there can be a wide range of symptoms such as plasma cell leukemia. Although there are no cures, the ailment of Multiple Myeloma can be reduced by therapy. Some of the initial symptoms of Multiple Myeloma are hypocalcaemia, fatigue, anemia, spinal cord compression, renal failure and pathologic fractures. A routine blood screening can help identify these symptoms. A complete physical exam of the patient is required because this may reveal the pallor caused by anemia and also you can expect to find purplish patches of skin which are a result of low concentration of blood platelets. Painful bone lesions or fractures are also an indication of Multiple Myeloma if the patient does not exhibit tenderness.
On the next stage a detailed laboratory study of the patient is required. Though it is difficult to diagnose Multiple Myeloma but it can be done by a complex process which includes a blood count to know if there has been any decrease in red blood cells, platelets and leukocytes. A metabolic test should be run to measure globulin, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, total protein and creatinine. Imaging scans are the latest and at this stage such a scan should be using to further diagnose Multiple Myeloma. A bone marrow test should be done in order to locate the myloma cells. Use a historical analysis of the patient's biopsy to support such a diagnosis and confirm Multiple Myeloma. While doing all this make sure the patient is comfortable and harbors a positive outlook towards life.
