Myeloma: Learn about multiple myeloma

Learn about multiple myeloma , a cancer of plasma cells. Discover symptoms, prognosis, treatments, and how it affects bone marrow and overall health in 2024. Background What is myeloma ? Myeloma , also known as multiple myeloma , is a cancer arising from plasma cells, a type of white blood cell which is made in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the ‘spongy’ material found in the centre of the larger bones in the body. The bone marrow is where all blood cells are made. Plasma cells form part of your immune system. Normal plasma cells produce antibodies, also called immunoglobulins, to help fight infection. In myeloma , these plasma cells become ... Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help fight infections by making proteins called antibodies. Antibodies find and attack germs. In multiple myeloma , cancerous plasma cells build up in bone marrow. Multiple myeloma is the second most common type of blood cancer after leukemia. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, risk factors, and treatment of multiple myeloma .