Multiple Myeloma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Multiple Myeloma?
A hematologist or an oncologist usually treats multiple myeloma. A hematologist is a doctor who treats blood diseases. An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that starts from a type of white blood cell in the bone marrow called plasma cells. The bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones, makes blood cells. Plasma cells help your body fight infection by making proteins called antibodies.
In multiple myeloma, abnormal plasma cells grow out of control in the bone marrow and form tumors in the areas of solid bone. The growth of these bone tumors weakens the bones. It also makes it harder for the bone marrow to make healthy blood cells and platelets.
Symptoms
Multiple myeloma most commonly causes:
- A low red blood cell count (anemia), which can lead to fatigue and shortness of breath.
- A low white blood cell count, which makes you more likely to get infections.
- A low platelet count, which can lead to abnormal bleeding.
As the cancer cells grow in the bone marrow, you may have bone pain, most often in the ribs or back. The cancer cells can weaken bones, so you may break a bone just from doing normal activities. If cancer grows in the spine bones, it can press on the nerves. This can lead to numbness or weakness of the arms or legs.
A tumor can damage the bone and cause hypercalcemia, which means too much calcium in the blood. A high level of calcium in the blood can be very dangerous.
Kidney damage that may lead to kidney failure is a frequent complication.
Causes and who gets it
The cause of multiple myeloma is unknown. Past treatment with radiation therapy increases the risk for this type of cancer. Multiple myeloma mainly affects older adults. It is also more common in African Americans, and it can run in families.
Other risk factors for multiple myeloma include the following:
- Being Black.
- Being male.
- Having a personal history of MGUS or plasmacytoma. MGUS stands for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. It is not cancer but can become cancer.
- Being exposed to radiation or certain chemicals.
How doctors diagnose it
Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. Blood tests are needed to diagnose this disease. These tests may include:
- Blood calcium and total protein levels.
- Tests that measure M protein, free light chains, and other proteins made by the myeloma cells. A higher-than-normal amount can be a sign of disease.
Bone x-rays, CT scans, MRI, or PET scan may show fractures or hollowed out areas of bone. If your provider suspects this type of cancer, a bone marrow biopsy will be performed.
Treatment
Your treatment depends on how advanced the disease is and whether you have symptoms. If you have no symptoms, you may not need treatment right away. People who have no damage to their bones or body, or whose diagnosis is not certain, are usually watched closely without treatment. This is called smoldering myeloma, and it can sometimes progress to myeloma that needs treatment.
If you have symptoms, treatments include:
- Chemotherapy, a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells.
- Corticosteroids, which are steroid medicines that have antitumor effects in multiple myeloma.
- Targeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells. Proteasome inhibitors such as bortezomib and monoclonal antibodies such as daratumumab are used for multiple myeloma.
- Immunomodulators, medicines that act on the immune system. Lenalidomide is one example.
- Radiation therapy, which may be used to relieve bone pain or to shrink a tumor that is pushing on the spinal cord.
- A stem cell transplant, a treatment to replace the blood-forming cells.
In general, multiple myeloma is treatable, but only in rare cases can it be cured.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you have multiple myeloma and you develop an infection, or numbness or loss of sensation. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Bone pain, especially in the back or ribs.
- Fever for no known reason or frequent infections.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, serious trouble breathing, fainting, confusion or a sudden change in how you act or think, severe belly pain, or sudden weakness or loss of movement in the arms or legs.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can order and review blood tests, coordinate visits with a blood cancer specialist, and follow up with you between specialist visits.
Common questions
Is multiple myeloma a type of cancer?
Yes. Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that starts from a type of white blood cell in the bone marrow called plasma cells.
Can multiple myeloma be cured?
Rarely. It can be treated, but only in rare cases can it be cured.
Does everyone with multiple myeloma need treatment right away?
No. If you have no symptoms, you may not need treatment right away.
Who is most likely to get multiple myeloma?
Older adults are most likely to get it.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Multiple myeloma
- MedlinePlus - Multiple Myeloma
- National Cancer Institute - Plasma Cell Neoplasms (Including Multiple Myeloma) Treatment
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
