Bone marrow cancer is a type of cancer that develops in stem cells of the bone marrow where blood cells are formed. Multiple myeloma is cancer that occurs in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help you fight infections by producing antibodies that recognize and attack microbes.
In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. Instead of producing useful antibodies, cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause complications. The signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma may vary and may not be present in the early stages of the disease.
Examples of common symptoms include:
- Bone pain in the spine or chest,
- Nausea,
- Constipation,
- Loss of appetite,
- Clouding of consciousness or confusion,
- Tiredness,
- Frequent infections,
- Weight loss,
- Weakness or numbness in the legs,
- Excessive thirst.
