What Is Multiple Myeloma?

This article is for people who are living with multiple myeloma and their care partners, or anyone who wants to learn more about multiple myeloma. The goal of this activity is to help you talk to and work with your doctor and healthcare team.

You will learn about:

• What multiple myeloma is and how it can affect your immune system

• Factors that may put you at a higher risk for multiple myeloma

• Symptoms and complications (additional problems) that may happen

• Questions to ask your doctor and healthcare team

Myeloma is cancer that starts in plasma cells in your bone marrow, the tissue inside bones where most blood cells are made.

With myeloma, cancerous plasma cells -- called myeloma cells -- grow out of control and can build up in your bone marrow, crowding out your normal cells there. Some people may have no symptoms at first, but the presence of myeloma cells and crowding out of your normal cells can lead to symptoms and complications and affect your immune system.

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View Additional Materials on this topic that you may find useful:

International Myeloma Foundation

Myeloma

Multiple Myeloma

About Multiple Myeloma

Support Group Locator

PDF Downloads

Important Questions to Ask Your Doctor After a Myeloma Diagnosis