health
March 17, 2026
Do Not Ignore These Symptoms: They Could Be a Sign of Multiple Myeloma
Dr. Nikola Vukosavljević explains how to recognize multiple myeloma, which tests can raise suspicion, and what therapeutic options exist today.
TL;DR
- Multiple myeloma is a malignant bone marrow disease resulting from genetic mutations in plasma cells.
- Common initial symptoms include persistent dull pain in the spine, pelvis, or ribs, fatigue, weight loss, and frequent infections.
- The CRAB criteria (Calcium elevation, Renal impairment, Anemia, Bone lesions) are central to clinical presentation.
- Diagnosis requires a combination of clinical suspicion, blood and urine tests (including electrophoresis and immunofixation), and a bone marrow biopsy with genetic analysis.
- While not always curable, treatment aims to achieve remission, delay relapse, and improve patient quality of life using targeted therapies, immunomodulatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and bispecific antibodies.
- Stem cell transplantation is an option for younger, fit patients as consolidation therapy.
- Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent organ damage and improve prognosis.
- Multiple myeloma is a socio-economic issue, affecting the working-age population and impacting families significantly.
- Common misconceptions include mistaking it for acute leukemia, believing there's no effective therapy, or considering it a death sentence.
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