What is multiple myeloma blood cancer, and how does it affect the body?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that develops in plasma cells within the bone marrow. As abnormal plasma cells multiply, they crowd out healthy blood cells and produce faulty antibodies, leading to a range of health problems.

Key effects of multiple myeloma include:

Weakened bones: Bone pain, fractures, and osteoporosis
Kidney problems: Reduced kidney function or failure
Low blood counts: Anemia, frequent infections, and easy bruising
High calcium levels: Causing fatigue, confusion, and thirst

Because early symptoms of multiple myeloma often overlap with everyday issues like back pain or tiredness, they're easy to dismiss. Catching potential warning signs early can make a meaningful difference in treatment outcomes. If you've been experiencing unexplained symptoms, taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you better understand what may be going on and guide your next steps with confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if symptoms suggest multiple myeloma Discover whether your symptoms need urgent care Find possible causes of myeloma-related symptoms See OTC options for symptom relief Find a doctor for multiple myeloma Learn medically valid home remedies for symptoms Understand if blood cancer symptoms warrant evaluation

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Explanation

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that starts in plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cell found in the bone marrow. These cells are part of the immune system and help fight infections by making antibodies. In multiple myeloma, abnormal plasma cells grow out of control and can form tumors in bones.

Effects on the Body:

Bone Damage: The cancerous plasma cells can cause damage to bones, making them weak and more likely to break.
Kidney Problems: The proteins made by the myeloma cells can harm the kidneys, leading to kidney damage.
Low Blood Counts: As the bone marrow fills with myeloma cells, it can't make enough normal blood cells, leading to anemia and increased risk of infections.

Symptoms:

Bone pain, especially in the back or ribs
Frequent infections
Fatigue due to anemia
High levels of calcium in the blood, which can cause nausea, thirst, and confusion

Multiple myeloma is a serious condition that requires medical attention to manage symptoms and slow disease progression. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, take our free AI symptom checker to help determine if you should seek immediate medical care.

(References)

Kumar SK, Rajkumar V, Kyle RA, van Duin M, Sonneveld P, Mateos MV, et al. (2017). Multiple myeloma. Nature reviews. Disease primers, 28726797.
Laubach J, Richardson P, & Anderson K. (2011). Multiple myeloma. Annual review of medicine, 21090965.
Cowan AJ, Green DJ, Kwok M, Lee S, Coffey DG, Holmberg LA, et al. (2022). Diagnosis and Management of Multiple Myeloma: A Review. JAMA, 35103762.

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