MYELOMA

Plasma cells are created from B-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and develop in the bone marrow. People develop myeloma when the production of their plasma cells is disrupted, and this happens because the DNA is altered in these cells, affecting the way plasma cells are made. This causes the bone marrow to produce abnormal plasma cells, known as myeloma cells.

These myeloma cells are not effective in producing antibodies that fight against infections, meaning patients with myeloma are more vulnerable to developing infections. Problems occur in patients with myeloma because abnormal myeloma cells and antibodies build up in the bone marrow and throughout the body, meaning there is less space in the bone marrow to create healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Myeloma also presents differently from other cancers, as it doesn't cause tumours or lumps.

Myeloma cells also produce abnormal antibodies. These do not act like normal antibodies and do not help in fighting or protecting against infections. These myeloma cells and abnormal antibodies can build up in multiple places, including your arms, legs, shoulders, spine, skull, pelvis, and rib cage. As myeloma can affect many different parts of the body, it is commonly referred to as multiple myeloma.

  • WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH MYELOMA?

    Myeloma cells build up in bones throughout the body, causing them to weaken. This means the bones are therefore more likely to fracture, break and cause general pain. As the number of healthy white blood cells and antibodies reduce, people with myeloma are also more susceptible to infections. In addition to this, a reduction in the number of healthy red blood cells leaves patients feeling weak, tired, and short of breath - all symptoms of anaemia. Patients are also more susceptible to increased bleeding and bruising, due to a reduction in the number of platelets.

    Plasma transfusions may be required to increase the number of clotting factors, which work with platelets to prevent / stop bleeding. However, plasma transfusions are not given to increase antibody levels, as this can cause more harm than good. This is because a person with myeloma already has a weakened immune system, meaning some antibodies could cause a negative reaction. For this reason, the presence of multiple antibodies is more likely to make your donation incompatible with others.