Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells. In multiple myeloma, abnormal myeloma cells divide repeatedly making more and more abnormal cells. These cells collect in multiple sites in the bone marrow and outer parts of the bones crowding out normal blood cells. This causes extensive destruction within the skeleton involving bones in the spine with consequent bone pain and fractures. Compressed vertebrae may put pressure on nerves causing more pain. The overproduction of plasma cells may crowd out the production of  red blood cells (RBC) thereby causing anemia.