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Overview
What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is the second-most common type of blood cancer. It occurs most often in adults older than 65.
In multiple myeloma, cancerous cells form in the bone marrow. This type of cancer involves the white blood cells known as plasma B cells. Plasma B cells make the antibodies that help your body fight infection.
When abnormal plasma B cells multiply uncontrollably, they can form tumors in many different bones. The cancerous cells:
Create high levels of protein that can damage the kidneys
Prevent your body from fighting infection
Slow production of healthy blood cells
Weaken the bones
Meet our team
Blood cancer specialists
At the UW Carbone Cancer Center, we know cancer can affect all parts of your life. So, we’ve put together a team of specialists to help you during each stage of your cancer journey.
Your team includes specialized doctors who focus on your physical well-being. But we also have experts who focus on other areas, such as your mental health, financial needs and family concerns. They make sure the care you receive will be just right for you and your disease.
Team members might include:
Advanced practice providers
Health psychologists
Hematologic nurses
Hematologic oncologists
Medical oncologists
Nutritionists
Occupational therapists
Oncology pharmacists
Orthopedic surgeons
Pain management specialists
Pathologists
Physical therapists
Psychologists
Radiation oncologist
Social workers
We strive to provide cancer treatments that improve your quality of life.
Our providers
Symptoms and diagnosis
Multiple myeloma symptoms
Some people diagnosed with multiple myeloma don’t feel symptoms right away. This is called smoldering multiple myeloma.
Early signs of multiple myeloma can include:
Fatigue
Bone pain in the back or ribs
As multiple myeloma progresses, common symptoms include:
Broken bones
Frequent infections
Headache
High blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia)
Kidney problems
Low blood counts (anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia)
Muscle weakness
Numbness in the legs
Making a diagnosis
Sometimes multiple myeloma is found during a blood test or urine test for another condition even before symptoms occur. So, when you experience symptoms, our experts use a variety of tests to make an accurate diagnosis. Tests can include blood and urine tests, bone marrow biopsy and imaging tests to check for bone damage (lesions).
Treatment and research
Treatment options for multiple myeloma
The stage of your cancer determines the best treatment plan for your multiple myeloma.
At UW Health, we work to reduce your symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no cure for multiple myeloma, but we can help you manage your condition and live a full life.
Your treatments might include:
Chemotherapy
This treatment uses powerful drugs to attack cancerous cells. The drugs travel throughout the body with the goal of killing any diseased cells.
Corticosteroids
Our doctors use steroid medicines (known as corticosteroids) to control inflammation and regulate your immune system.
Radiation therapy
Our specialists use the most advanced high-energy rays and other forms of precise radiation to kill cancer cells.
High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant
This procedure involves replacing unhealthy lymphocytes (white blood cells) with healthy stem cells. You first receive high doses of chemotherapy to kill the cancerous cells. Then doctors introduce the new healthy cells. The cells may come from your own body or from someone else’s. They can also come from umbilical cord blood.
Targeted therapy
Special medicines attack weak spots on your cancer cells. These drugs can kill cancer cells on their own or in combination with chemotherapy.
Surgery
In some cases, doctors use surgery to remove cancerous tissue from your body. Surgery can also strengthen and support bones weakened by the cancer cells. If multiple myeloma affects your spine, we can use surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord caused by damaged vertebrae.
Clinical trials
The UW Carbone Cancer Center is a national research center for improving cancer care. Our experts may recommend you take part in a clinical trial to access the most advanced and innovative treatments. We lead many innovative clinical trials for multiple myeloma, including CAR T-cell therapy – a way to supercharge your body’s immune cells.
Locations
Care close to home
The UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center provides care throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Not all cancers are treated at every location; however, we will make every effort to connect you with care at a location convenient to you.
Patient and support services
Information and support
At UW Health, our blood cancer support group serves anyone with multiple myeloma and their friends and family.
Where: Gilda’s Club, 7907 UW Health Court, Middleton, WI 53562 (currently virtual)
When: 2nd Monday of the month, 5:30-7 p.m.
More information: Email program@gildasclubmadison.org or call (608) 828-8880
You can learn more about multiple myeloma here: