Multiple Myeloma Symptoms

Quick Glance: Common Multiple Myeloma Symptoms

Common symptoms and early warning signs of multiple myeloma include:

• Persistent bone pain, particularly in the back, ribs, hips or shoulders

• Unexplained tiredness or weakness

• Shortness of breath related to anaemia

• Frequent or persistent infections

• Unexplained weight loss

• Reduced appetite

• Excessive thirst and frequent urination

• Bones breaking after a minor injury

Some people have few or no noticeable symptoms when the disease is first detected.

Multiple Myeloma Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

Multiple myeloma symptoms may indicate significant bone damage, anaemia, high calcium levels or other effects of myeloma. Some of the multiple myeloma symptoms and what they may indicate are given in the table below:

Why Do Multiple Myeloma Symptoms Occur?

Multiple myeloma develops when abnormal plasma cells multiply in the bone marrow. These cells can interfere with normal blood cell production, leading to anaemia and fatigue. They also reduce the body's ability to make effective antibodies, increasing susceptibility to infections.

Myeloma cells also disturb normal bone renewal. Increased bone breakdown can produce painful bone lesions, fractures and high calcium levels in the blood. Abnormal proteins made by the myeloma cells, particularly free light chains, can also damage the kidneys.

Rarely, very high levels of monoclonal protein can make the blood unusually thick and affect circulation. However, hyperviscosity is not a common presentation of multiple myeloma.

Multiple Myeloma Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention

It is recommended to seek urgent medical care if a person with known or suspected multiple myeloma develops:

• Sudden severe back pain with leg weakness or numbness

• New difficulty walking or standing

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• High fever with shaking chills or severe weakness

• Sudden confusion or marked drowsiness

• Severe thirst with repeated vomiting and increasing confusion

• Severe breathlessness at rest

• Inability or marked difficulty in passing urine

• Sudden severe bone pain after a minor injury or fall

Sudden weakness or numbness of the legs, difficulty walking and loss of bladder or bowel control can indicate spinal cord compression, which requires immediate treatment.

Can You Have Multiple Myeloma Without Symptoms?

Yes. This is one of the most clinically significant characteristics of multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma can sometimes be diagnosed before noticeable symptoms or classic organ damage develop. Current diagnostic criteria allow active multiple myeloma to be diagnosed when certain high-risk biomarkers, known as myeloma-defining events, are present.

When Can Multiple Myeloma Symptoms Become Life-Threatening?

Multiple myeloma can become life-threatening when it causes severe infection, spinal cord compression, very high calcium levels or major kidney impairment. The table below lists these symptoms and also explains why they are a serious threat:

How are Multiple Myeloma Symptoms Diagnosed?

Multiple myeloma cannot be diagnosed on symptoms alone. A haematologist evaluates any suspected case of multiple myeloma. Diagnosis requires a combination of blood tests, urine tests, bone marrow biopsy, and imaging. The following table provides the list of diagnostic tests for multiple myeloma: