Myeloma is simply an outburst or inconsistent outgrowth of the white blood cells. Our human body is so magnificently crafted that we have an in-built defense system called the white blood cells (WBC) that protects us from foreign bodies. Scientifically Myeloma is a rapid, uncontrollable, abnormal growth of our WBCs most specifically the plasma cells that produce antibodies. Thus, myeloma is a type of cancer that is mainly consolidated to the bone marrow and occurs in multiple patches across the bone marrow. Therefore, most commonly referred to as Multiple Myeloma (MM) or Plasma cell myeloma

The exact cause for myeloma within a human body is still unknown, but there are no recognized risk features for multiple myeloma, researchers advocate genetic irregularities such as c-Myc genes or ecological exposures, radiation, or other problems like MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) or family history. There are different stages of multiple myeloma, and they are predominantly characterized into four stages:

Smoldering
This is the period when the disease is in a non-active stage, medically there is no evidence of symptoms or signs of the disease To detect the impact of the disease or the size of the tumor, either the Durie-Salmon system or the International Staging system is used. The determination of the disease/size of the malignant tumor via medical device imaging like X-rays or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and laboratory test results like blood cell count, protein levels in blood and urine, calcium level in blood or bone marrow examination is called “staging.”

Stage I
The presence of cancer cells within the bone marrow but they are so few in number that there are no symptoms. During this stage, the patient is likely to have

• RBC count within or slightly below the normal range
• Normal calcium level
• Low levels of monoclonal immunoglobulin protein in blood or urine
• No presence of bone damage in X-rays or maybe a slight bone lesion

Stage II
At this stage of multiple myeloma, there is an increase in the number of cancer cells in the body. The cancer cells progress invasively and kidney functions will be affected.

Stage III
Of all the different stages of multiple myeloma, this one is the worst. Cancer cells have now spread throughout the body and impacting the immune system. At his stage, evident systems are visible and diagnosable. The patient will suffer from bone degeneration or bone pain or bone lesions, low immune resilience, thus prone to many infections, anemia, dehydration, tiredness, nausea, fractures, kidney damage, hypercalcemia, and severe complications like amyloidosis.

This condition is considered treatable but may not be fully curable. A person detected with stage II multiple myeloma will immediately be treated with a varied combination of medications including those for chemotherapy to prevent their bones from further degeneration.

Clinical trials have helped medical professionals towards better prognosis of the disease. Therefore, a person with multiple myeloma is urged to enroll as a subject and participate in clinical trials to test new medications and treatments.

It’s important to be aware of the different stages of multiple myeloma so that one can get treatment promptly.