Myeloma begins when a plasma cell becomes abnormal and begins to divide uncontrollably, making more and more abnormal plasma cells. Abnormal plasma cells are called myeloma cells. Over time, the myeloma cells crowd out the normal blood cells in the bone marrow and prevent them from working properly. The disease is called multiple myeloma because it affects many bones. For a video overview about the cancer, click HERE.
About this Cancer
- According to the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) statistics for 2023, around 3,900 new multiple myeloma cases were diagnosed. Overall, cases are increasing in Canada.
- An estimated 1,700 people died that year from multiple myeloma in Canada.
Source: CCS Cancer Statistics 2023
Symptoms for multiple myeloma include:
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Repeated infections and cold sores
- Exhaustion along with other symptoms
- Kidney difficulties
For more information visit Myeloma Canada.
Risk factors for multiple myeloma include, but are not limited to:
- Older age
- Being male/Being Black
- Familiar history of multiple myeloma
- Having MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance)
Sources: Mayo Clinic
Ways to diagnose multiple myeloma include:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Bone marrow tests
- Imaging tests, including x-ray, MRI, CT and PET scans
Sources: Mayo Clinic
Treatments can include:
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
- CAR-T cell therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Corticosteroids
- Bone marrow transplant
- Radiation therapy
Source: Mayo Clinic.
For more info, visit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to Canada, and Myeloma Canada.
Stories from Survivors
- We currently do not have any myeloma stories. If you have any, please send them to us at info@survivornet.ca.
- Personalized Support from Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
- Understanding and Managing Myeloma
- Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant
- Understanding Clinical Trials
- CAR T-CELL Therapy
- Watch & Wait (active surveillance)
- Shared Decision Making: Discussion tool for people with a blood cancer
- The IMF Support Network
- August 22nd, 2024 – Medical breakthrough provides hope for early risk stratification of a deadly blood cancer – UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
- August 15th, 2024 – Phase 1 BAFF CAR T clinical trial for patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma underway at UH Seidman Cancer Center – University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
- April 23rd, 2024 – New study points to racial and social barriers that block treatment for multiple myeloma – UC Davis Health
- April 9th, 2024 – The experience and needs of myeloma patients: exploring race and ethnicity – Academia Oncology
- March 19th, 2024 – Treatment Pattern, Healthcare Resource Utilization and Symptom Burden Among Patients with Triple Class Exposed Multiple Myeloma: A Population-Based Cohort Study – Myeloma Canada
- March 14th, 2024 – Daratumumab, Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone With Tandem Transplant for High-Risk Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma – Journal Scan / Research
- March 2024 – MMRF Research Update: Key Study Looks to CoMMpass to Inform a New Prognostic Model
- February 21, 2024 – High BMI in Early Adulthood Increases Multiple Myeloma Risk Among Black Women – Myeloma Canada
- January 20th, 2024 – The experience and needs of myeloma patients: exploring race and ethnicity – Academia Oncology
Multiple Myeloma Cancer Groups
- Myeloma Canada is the only national charitable organization created by, and for, Canadians impacted by multiple myeloma. We are driven to improve the lives of those affected by this disease by empowering our community through awareness, education, and advocacy programs, and by supporting clinical research to find a cure. We are committed to making myeloma matter, and have been since our founding in 2005 by two gentlemen who were living with myeloma, Aldo Del Col and John Lemieux. For more info visit Myeloma Canada.
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada is a voluntary non-profit health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Their mission is to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Visit them at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.