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What is multiple myeloma?


Multiple myeloma is characterized by the neoplastic proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells producing a monoclonal immunoglobulin antibody. This clone of plasma cells proliferates in the bone marrow and often results in extensive skeletal destruction with osteolytic lesions, and/or pathologic fractures. 

The diagnosis of multiple myeloma is often suspected because of one (or more) of the following clinical presentations.

1-Bone pain with lytic lesions discovered on routine skeletal films.

2-An increased total serum protein concentration and/or the presence of a monoclonal protein in the urine or serum.

3-High Calcium levels (Hypercalcemia), which is either symptomatic or discovered incidentally.

4-Acute kidney failure or worsening kidney function.

It is also important to evaluate patients suspected of having MM in a timely fashion since a major delay in diagnosis has been associated with a negative impact on the disease course.

There have many been recent treatments that have made a substantial impact in the treatment of multiple myeloma in the last several years.

Here, Dr. Tony Talebi discusses general concepts of multiple myeloma with Dr. Judy Ratzan, associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center including diagnosis, staging, imaging for, and treatment of multiple myeloma.  The discussion includes Multiple Myeloma prognosis, what causes Multiple Myeloma, signs of Multiple Myeloma, Multiple Myeloma symptoms, Multiple Myeloma, Multiple Myeloma stage 4, treatment of Multiple Myeloma, Multiple Myeloma association, stage four Multiple Myeloma, small cell Multiple Myeloma, symtoms of Multiple Myeloma, causes of Multiple Myeloma, Multiple Myeloma chemotherapy, what is Multiple Myeloma, Multiple Myelomas, Multiple Myeloma information, Multiple Myeloma prevention, stage 4 Multiple Myeloma, information about Multiple Myeloma, stage iv Multiple Myeloma, Multiple Myeloma signs, Multiple Myeloma symptom, is Multiple Myeloma curable, stage 3b Multiple Myeloma, lungs cancer symptoms, survival rates for Multiple Myeloma, symptoms of Multiple Myeloma, Multiple Myeloma survivors, Multiple Myeloma symptons, Multiple Myeloma survival, treatments of Multiple Myeloma, symptons of Multiple Myeloma, Multiple Myeloma statistics, non small cell Multiple Myeloma, chemo for Multiple Myeloma, Multiple Myeloma survival rate, large cell Multiple Myeloma, effects of Multiple Myeloma, Multiple Myeloma screening, Multiple Myeloma diagnosis, Multiple Myeloma society, Multiple Myeloma clinical trials, Multiple Myeloma metastasis, survival rate Multiple Myeloma, symptom of Multiple Myeloma, info on Multiple Myeloma, new treatments for Multiple Myeloma, how common is Multiple Myeloma

Dr. Judy Ratzan credentials:

Board Certifications
American Board of Internal Medicine 
American Board of Internal Med-Hematology 
American Board of Internal Med-Medical Oncology

Practice Locations
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center