Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma, which is sometimes referred to as plasma cell myeloma, myeloma, or Kahler's disease is a cancer that targets plasma cells. Located in the bone marrow-the soft tissue at the center of most bones-plasma cells are white blood cells that normally comprise less than five percent of the cells that are housed in the blood marrow. Plasma cells are an essential component of the body's immune system because they produce huge amounts of antibodies which help the body to screen and curb the spread of viruses and harmful bacteria. A person is considered to have multiple myeloma if a group of myeloma or abnormal plasma cells augment the percentage of plasma cells in the bone marrow to ten percent or more. When this occurs, the immune system as well as other cellular operations in the blood marrow can be compromised. Moreover, multiple myeloma can lead to the erosion of bones and also impaired kidney function. When treatment is applied during the early stages, a myeloma prognosis for people suffering from this condition is good.

Emerging scientific evidence demonstrates that, under certain circumstances, benzene exposure may cause the development of human multiple myeloma. Prognosis for the condition worsens in proportion to the number of locations in the body that this disease occurs in - thus the reason for the name.

At the onset of this disease, a person might not experience any symptoms. As multiple myeloma progresses, symptoms tend to vary from person to person since the disease can affect a variety of organs, however, bone pain is often cited by people who have contracted this illness. High concentrations of calcium in the bloodstream-the result of calcium from affected bones dissolving-also constitutes a possible symptom of multiple myeloma. Symptoms of multiple type myeloma may include: unexpected bone fractures, weight loss, frequent infections-such as pneumonia, kidney, or bladder infections-fatigue, and achy ribs or back. Taking into account the severity and number of locations of the disease, your physician should be able to give you an accurate prognosis.

Multiple myeloma is most likely to occur in people over the age of fifty. Men are fifty percent more likely to develop the disease than women. It has been observed that people who work in the leather, agriculture, or petroleum industry, or around heavy metals, plastics, or benzene, have a statistically higher chance of contacting this disease.

At present, there is no cure for multiple myeloma; however, a number of treatment options do exist to help mitigate symptoms.

If you or someone you know has been exposed to benzene and has contracted multiple myeloma or has confirmed myeloma symptoms, you may wish to speak with an attorney. For more information, call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or complete the email form.