Multiple myeloma is the cancerous development in the plasma cells. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cells found in the bone marrow. The prime job of a plasma cell is to make antibodies that help fight off diseases and infections. Multiple myeloma causes abnormal or cancerous plasma cells to build up in the bone marrow and crowd out the healthy cells. Read on to know more about this form of cancer.

Causes
The exact cause of multiple myeloma is still unknown, but the disease develops due to uncontrolled growth and multiplication of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow. These plasma cells divide indefinitely, overwhelming the body and impairing the production of healthy cells. Certain factors increase one’s risk of developing multiple myeloma:

• This condition affects more men than women
• African-Americans face a higher risk of developing it
• Age is a common risk factor, with most people diagnosed with multiple myeloma being above 60
• Being overweight or obese also elevates an individual’s risk of developing the disease

Symptoms
The symptoms of multiple myeloma vary from one person to another. Some may not showcase any signs or symptoms, while others may develop one or more of the following:

• Hypercalcemia or high blood calcium levels
  This can lead to extreme thirst, frequent urination, dehydration, constipation, loss of appetite, weakness, nausea, confusion, and abdominal pain. It can also result in kidney damage and failure, and extremely high calcium levels can cause an individual to slip into a coma.
• Low blood count
  This can manifest in the form of anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia.
• Bone damage or injuries
  The condition can cause bone pain, weakness, and even fractures due to minor stress or injuries.

Diagnosis
It’s difficult to diagnose the condition early on as it may not cause any symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. Multiple myeloma is usually diagnosed based on a physical examination, symptoms, and tests. These include:

• Blood tests to check the level of M protein, which is an abnormal protein
• Imaging tests like MRI, CT, or PET scans to determine how far cancer has spread and understand whether the treatment is effective
• A bone marrow biopsy to check for excessive plasma cells in the bone marrow

If the biopsy detects a plasma cell tumor or if the doctor finds at least 10 percent plasma cells in the bone marrow, they look for accompanying signs like high calcium levels in the blood, poor kidney functioning, or low RBC count. The presence of these signs, along with a tumor or high plasma cell count, confirms the diagnosis.

Treatment
There is no cure for multiple myeloma at present, and treatment aims to ease pain, reduce the risk of complications, and slow disease progression. The treatment options for the condition include the following:

• Local therapies are used to treat the cancerous tumor without affecting the rest of the body. These treatments include surgery and radiation therapy, and they are mostly used to manage multiple myeloma in the early stages. That said, they may also be combined with other treatment forms for managing advanced-stage multiple myeloma.
• Systemic therapies like stem cell transplant and CAR T-cell therapy reach cancer cells throughout the body. This method also includes supportive treatments for patients.

Foods to eat
There are no special diets to treat multiple myeloma, but following a healthy, balanced diet can go a long way in helping the body recover post treatment. One should follow a diet that helps the body overcome the common symptoms of calcium deficiency, kidney damage, and anemia. Foods rich in iron, folate, vitamin B-12, and vitamin D can help with this. Anti-cancer foods like apples, cranberries, and rosemary can also prove beneficial for multiple myeloma patients.