HealthInfo Aoraki-South Canterbury
Myeloma
Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow.
Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell made in your bone marrow, which is found in the centre of large bones. In myeloma abnormal plasma cells build up in your bone marrow and release large amounts of a single antibody called a paraprotein.
Unlike many cancers, myeloma does not appear as a lump or tumour.
Myeloma can stop your bone marrow making enough healthy cells. It can also affect your kidneys.
Symptoms of myeloma include:
- tiredness
- bone pain
- recurrent infections, bruising or bleeding
- bone disease, which can cause fractures.
Myeloma is diagnosed using blood and urine tests, X-rays of bones and a bone marrow biopsy.
Treatment for myeloma varies and can include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and stem cell transplant.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand – Myeloma
This page explains how myeloma happens, and the different types. It also has a link to a PDF booklet with more details about myeloma.
- Myeloma UK
Detailed information about myeloma, including treatment, symptoms, and the course of myeloma. It includes videos of interviews with myeloma experts, patients, and carers.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by clinical director, Haematology, Canterbury DHB. Last reviewed May 2020.
Review key: HILEU-52883
