The Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma and Plasma Cell Dyscrasias Program offers diagnosis and treatment for those with multiple myeloma.  To make an appointment or for more information:

Healthcare professionals, please contact our M-LINE service: 800-962-3555.

Patients, please call 734-647-8902.

Sometimes multiple myeloma does not cause any signs or symptoms. This is called smoldering multiple myeloma. It may be found when a blood or urine test is done for another condition. Signs and symptoms may be caused by multiple myeloma or other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Bone pain, especially in the back or ribs.
• Bones that break easily.
• Fever for no known reason or frequent infections.
• Easy bruising or bleeding.
• Trouble breathing.
• Weakness of the arms or legs.
• Feeling very tired.

A tumor can damage the bone and cause hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood). This can affect many organs in the body, including the kidneys, nerves, heart, muscles, and digestive tract, and cause serious health problems.

Hypercalcemia may cause the following signs and symptoms:

• Loss of appetite.

• Nausea or vomiting.

• Feeling thirsty.

• Frequent urination.

• Constipation.

• Feeling very tired.

• Muscle weakness.

• Restlessness.

• Confusion or trouble thinking.

Multiple myeloma and other plasma cell neoplasms may cause a condition called amyloidosis.

In rare cases, multiple myeloma can cause peripheral nerves (nerves that are not in the brain or spinal cord) and organs to fail. This may be caused by a condition called amyloidosis. Antibody proteins build up and stick together in peripheral nerves and organs, such as the kidney and heart. This can cause the nerves and organs to become stiff and unable to work the way they should.

Amyloidosis may cause the following signs and symptoms:

• Feeling very tired.
• Purple spots on the skin.
• Enlarged tongue.
• Diarrhea.
• Swelling caused by fluid in your body's tissues.
• Tingling or numbness in your legs and feet.

Age can affect the risk of plasma cell neoplasms.
Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk.

Plasma cell neoplasms are most common in people who are middle aged or older.
For multiple myeloma and plasmacytoma, other risk factors include the following:

• Being black.

• Being male.

• Having a personal history of MGUS or plasmacytoma.

• Being exposed to radiation or certain chemicals.

• Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma

• Plasmacytoma

• Multiple myeloma

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a form of non-cancerous plasma cell neoplasm which sometimes becomes multiple myeloma.
People with MGUS have less than 10% of their bone marrow made up of abnormal plasma cells and there is no cancer. The abnormal plasma cells make M protein, which is sometimes found during a routine blood or urine test. In most patients, the amount of M protein stays the same and there are no signs, symptoms, or health problems.

In some patients, MGUS may later become a more serious condition, such as amyloidosis, or cause problems with the kidneys, heart, or nerves. MGUS can also become cancer, such as multiple myeloma, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, or chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

There are many treatment options for multiple myeloma, and the list of choices can be confusing. At the Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma and Plasma Cell Dyscrasias Program, we have a dedicated tumor board that meets weekly and includes experts in medical oncology, radiation, radiation therapy, pathology, molecular pathology, nursing, nutrition and social work. This group then prepares a personalized treatment plan for each patient. Treatments offered at the University of Michigan for multiple myeloma include:

• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Biological therapy
• Bisphosphonates
• Corticosteroids
• Radiation
• Surgery
• immunotherapy
• Stem cell transplant
• Supportive therapy: Treatments to make the patient’s blood healthier to fight infections or treat anemia; bone pain or loss; and kidney complications.