Shortages of red blood cells, white blood cells, and blood platelets are common in multiple myeloma and might lead to other symptoms. If myeloma weakens the bones in the spine, they can collapse and press on spinal nerves. This is called spinal cord compression and can cause. This is a medical emergency and you should contact your doctor right away or go to the emergency room.
If spinal cord compression is not treated right away, there is a possibility of permanent paralysis. Sometimes, the abnormal proteins produced by myeloma cells are toxic to nerves.
This is also called peripheral neuropathy. It can slow blood flow to the brain and cause:. Patients with these symptoms should call their doctor. Removing the protein from the blood using a procedure called plasmapheresis can rapidly reverse this problem.
Myeloma protein can damage the kidneys. As the kidneys start to fail, they lose the ability to get rid of excess salt, fluid, and body waste products. This can lead to symptoms such as:. The spine and long bones arms and legs are most often affected.
Fractures of the spine can cause the sections of the spine to collapse, leading to pain and, occasionally, compression of the spinal cord the main column of nerves running down the back. You should seek immediate medical help if you have symptoms of spinal cord compression. It's an emergency and needs immediate investigation and treatment. Multiple myeloma can affect the production of blood cells in the bone marrow, which can lead to a lack of red blood cells anaemia.
This can also occur as a side effect of myeloma treatment. People with multiple myeloma are particularly vulnerable to infection because the condition interferes with the immune system, the body's natural defence against infection and illness. A high level of calcium in the blood hypercalcaemia can develop in people with multiple myeloma because too much calcium is released from affected bones into the bloodstream. You should seek immediate medical help if you have symptoms of hypercalcaemia, as they need quick investigation and treatment.
Some people with multiple myeloma have bruising and unusual bleeding haemorrhage , such as frequent nosebleeds , bleeding gums and heavy periods.
This is because the cancer cells in your bone marrow can stop blood-clotting cells called platelets from being made. In some people, multiple myeloma can cause the blood to become thicker than normal. This is due to the excess proteins that myeloma cells often produce. They can join up with other proteins, causing blockages in the pipes, and eventually kidney failure. People with kidney disease may experience mental confusion. For example, the electrolyte imbalance associated with kidney problems can cause delirium.
Additionally, one older study reports people with chronic kidney disease CKD may also have an increased likelihood of having depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Kidney disease is relatively common in people with MM. One study reported about half of people with MM has some degree of kidney problems.
Although initially, an individual may have no symptoms, they can appear over time. A person may experience symptoms including :. Learn more about the symptoms of kidney failure. Hypercalcemia is a condition where an individual elevated calcium levels in their blood. This can cause encephalopathy , a disease affecting the brain. Encephalopathy alters brain function or structure, and it can cause mental confusion.
Hypercalcemia is a serious complication. A study of people under 65 with multiple myeloma found that the people with hypercalcemia had lower survival rates than those who did not. One earlier study found that both chronic and acute hypercalcemia affects the nerve synapses. The synapses are tiny gaps at the end of each nerve cell, and they allow signals to pass between the cells. When the synapses cannot communicate properly, the brain and body cannot function properly. In addition to mental confusion, hypercalcemia can cause :.
Learn more about the symptoms of hypercalcemia. MM treatments can affect the body and brain. Mental confusion, headaches, and more can be possible side effects of some treatments for MM. Learn more about multiple myeloma treatment options. MM symptoms can vary according to the stage of disease and the individual. Initially, an individual may not know they have MM, and a doctor only discovers it following a routine blood or urine test.
Bone problems can include bone pain and bone weakness. People experience pain primarily in the back, hips, and skull, although the pain may affect any bone. Osteoporosis is when a person has fragile, low-density bones that break easily. It affects some people with MM. Bone weakness may also occur if an individual has plasmacytoma. This condition is a form of cancer that begins in plasma cells and can turn into MM.
People with MM commonly have shortages of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. These shortages can lead to other symptoms.
A low red blood cell count causes anemia. People with anemia may have weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Doctors call a shortage of white blood cells leukopenia.
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