In every chronic illness journey, it is important to be aware of the early warning signs and symptoms. Cancer is one of those illnesses that, if caught in the early stages, can be treated and often cured. There are multiple types of cancer, but one of the less common ones is myeloma.
Myeloma is a type of cancer that starts in the plasma cells found in the bone marrow. It is rare cancer, affecting thousands of Americans each year. Early diagnosis is important for myeloma because there are treatments available that can prolong life and improve quality of life.
There are various ways to detect the presence of myeloma or other types of blood cancers: Blood tests, bone scanning, radiographs, lumbar puncture, and others.
Signs and symptoms experienced by people with this disease include:
1. Bone Pain
People with myeloma may have bone pain as their first sign of the illness. The location and severity of the pain depend on where tumors form in the bones. These pains often occur at night while asleep. People who suffer from bone pain usually describe the pain as burning, throbbing, stabbing, shooting, or tingling. The most prominent symptom associated with myeloma is bone pain, which generally begins about 6-12 months after initial onset. When bone pain occurs, it is important not only to determine if it is caused by myeloma but also to identify the source of the pain.
2. Weakness/Fatigue
When weakness and fatigue set in, they tend to start slowly and gradually worsen over time. As a result of the tumor-infiltrating muscle tissue around the body, the patient feels tired and weak all the time. This happens even though the person has plenty of energy to get through their daily activities. The fatigue usually intensifies whenever an activity requires physical exertion—going to work, doing yard work, playing sports, or walking. People with myeloma face a higher risk of having cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke due to their weakened immune systems. If left untreated, these conditions will likely lead to death within 2 years of being diagnosed with the disease. The fatigue associated with myeloma causes significant stress in the lives of patients, partners, family members, friends, and coworkers. Fatigued individuals who do not take proper care of themselves and manage their health issues properly are at a high risk of missing out on work hours. Not surprisingly, absenteeism rates among people with myeloma are extremely high compared to healthy individuals.
3. Increased Infections
Myeloma makes a person particularly vulnerable to infections due to a compromised immune system. Therefore, people with myeloma need to be extra careful about getting sick since any new infection could exacerbate the condition. Common infections seen in people with myeloma include pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bacterial meningitis, cellulitis, and strep throat. Additionally, the myeloma itself creates an environment that is perfect for infectious agents to multiply, thus leading to fevers and flu-like reactions. Whenever you experience unending infections, don’t ignore them, as this could be an early signal of myeloma. Be sure to visit your physician immediately so he can conduct thorough tests and confirm whether the symptoms are related to the myeloma or something else.
4. Decreased Appetite and Weight Loss
Appetites tend to decrease or disappear completely when someone suffers from myeloma. In some cases, people may lose weight below normal due to loss of appetite and reduced food intake. However, it is essential to understand that losing weight does not always mean that the person has cancer. It could simply be because of poor nutrition or low-calorie diets. This phenomenon becomes relevant when people are dealing with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or thyroid problems. Regardless of the cause behind the decreased appetite, it is important to check with your doctor to ensure that your situation is not related to myeloma.
5. Nausea
The cancer cells travel to digestive sites, causing nausea that often results in vomiting. Sometimes, the cancerous cells infiltrate into the stomach lining and produce chemicals that make people feel nauseated and ill. When this occurs, one needs to seek medical attention right away since the condition can quickly turn deadly if left unattended.
6. Confusion
Another symptom often experienced by those affected by myeloma is confusion. Usually, it manifests itself after weeks or months of developing the disease, but once it starts, it never stops. Patients with myeloma develop headaches, memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, impaired vision, and other intellectual difficulties. These impairments occur because the brain signals sent to the arms, legs, spine, kidneys, lungs, heart, intestines, blood vessels, etc., are disrupted by the presence of cancer.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.