The Basics of Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a hematologic cancer caused by plasma cells in the bone marrow. Patients can present with acute renal failure, hypercalcemia, significant anemia or a severe infection. These patients have humoral immunity that doesn't work very well and are predisposed to getting serious infections such as streptococcal pneumonia. Acute neurologic changes, usually in the lower extremities, would be very important for these patients.