Multiple myeloma may not cause any symptoms or complications in its early stages and may only be diagnosed after a routine blood or urine test.
However, it will eventually cause a wide range of symptoms and complications, the most common of which are described below.
Bone pain
Pain can be a symptom of the myeloma bone disease that often occurs in myeloma. The middle or lower back, the rib cage and the hips are the most frequently affected. The pain is often persistent and described as dull and aching, and usually made worse by movement.
Bone fractures
The bones that most commonly fracture due to myeloma bone disease are the spine and the ribs. Breaks can occasionally happen with only minor pressure or injury. Fractures of the bones of the spine (vertebrae) can lead to collapse of the spine, height loss and, occasionally, compression of the spinal cord (main column of nerves running down the back).
Compression of the spinal cord can cause 'pins and needles', numbness and weakness in the legs and feet, and sometimes problems passing urine and stools.
Fatigue
Patients with myeloma often have persistent fatigue (overwhelming tiredness). This may be due to the myeloma itself or to one or more of its complications, or it may be a side effect of the treatment given.
Anaemia
Anaemia is a reduction in the number of red blood cells or the oxygen-carrying haemoglobin they contain. It can occur as a result of the myeloma itself or as a side effect of treatment. It can lead to fatigue, weakness and breathlessness.
Infection
Infection is more common in myeloma patients because the myeloma interferes with the immune system, making them more susceptible to infection.
Hypercalcaemia
Hypercalcaemia means that the level of calcium in the blood is too high. It can occur in myeloma patients as bone disease causes too much calcium to be released from the affected bones.
Kidney damage
Kidney damage can occur in myeloma patients for a variety of reasons. The abnormal protein produced by myeloma cells can damage the kidneys, as can some of the other complications, such as hypercalcaemia. Also, some of the drugs used to treat myeloma can sometimes cause kidney damage.
