- Multiple myeloma, which is the cause of myeloma renal disease, is a cancer of the blood plasma cells. Plasma cells are a component of the immune system that create infection-fighting antibodies. When these blood plasma cells are compromised, the immune system falters and the sufferer is at a greater risk of becoming sick, and is also less able to heal and recover. As there is a high presence of myeloma plasma within bone marrow, multiple myeloma commonly damages bones by creating multiple lesions on their surface.
- A flagship symptom of multiple myeloma is bone pain. This is caused by bone lesions and breakdown created by myeloma cells. In some sufferers, a diagnosis of multiple myeloma is precipitated by being otherwise healthy but having unexplained bone fractures. The breakdown of bones also causes a release of calcium into the body at higher-than-normal levels, which can lead to loss of appetite, nausea, constipation and excessive thirst. An increased rate of infections is another hallmark symptom, because of the body's compromised ability to fight foreign invaders. While these are the more common symptoms of the disease, some sufferers may have it but exhibit no symptoms at all, meaning it may only be discovered by abnormal blood or urine labs.
- As mentioned, the breakdown of bone caused by multiple myeloma increases the release of calcium into the bloodstream. Additionally, the compromised immune system's overproduction of a protein antibody also leads to dangerous levels of proteins in the blood. The over-representation of these otherwise benign materials becomes too much of a good thing, as the kidneys work to filter the body's blood supply and become overtaxed with mass amounts of calcium and protein.
- While myeloma cannot be cured, it can be brought into remission through two main treatments. Chemotherapy may be used to kill off the cancerous cells. Bone marrow transplants are also commonly done with this form of cancer to restore functional cells to the bone marrow. Several rounds of chemotherapy generally precede a bone marrow transplant to kill cancerous cells before the introduction of the new cells. There are other treatments for other body systems that may be affected by multiple myeloma, as is the case with myeloma renal disease.
- The prognosis for those with multiple myeloma is not as good as with some other cancers. Survival rates are dependent upon multiple factors, but especially upon the earliness of detection and how the body responds to treatment. Those with myeloma renal disease can take actions to relieve some of the burden on the kidneys and extend their lifespan. This includes drinking large quantities of water to continually flush excess calcium from the system, and moving on to dialysis when kidney function becomes too poor.
- Renal failure essentially means that the kidneys are shutting down. Those who are going into to renal failure as a result of myeloma renal disease will be placed on dialysis so machines can perform the kidneys' blood-filtering function for the body. Patients can live on dialysis for several years if need be, but should explore transplant options concurrently. Consult with your doctor to determine your eligibility for a kidney transplant if your kidney functioning gets to this point.
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