Symptoms and findings of multiple myeloma

Symptoms and findings are caused by the localization of myeloma cells in bone marrow and the effect of the M-component (paraprotein).

Bone pain
Reduced renal function
Anemia, more rarely leukopenia and thrombocytopenia
Hypercalcemia due to osteolysis
Repeated bacterial infections due to reduced immune system
Neuralgia, paralysis, and numbness
Signs of amyloidosis, for example large tongue, carpal tunnel syndrome, kidney and/or heart failure
Prolonged elevated blood sedimentation rate.


MRI of patient with myeloma in spine. Click to enlarge image.	MRI of patient with destruction and collapse of vertebra. Click to enlarge image.	X-ray of patient with pathological fracture in humerus. Click to enlarge image.