Published on Aug 9th, 2024
Authored by Pfizer Medical Team

Multiple myeloma is a complex blood cancer affecting over 20,000 Australians.¹ ­ Learn about symptoms, causes, risk factors and how the disease is diagnosed and treated.

What is multiple myeloma? 

Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, is a type of blood cancer. It affects a specific type of white blood cells called plasma cells. Plasma cells are produced in the bone marrow (the soft spongy tissue inside of the bones) and play a crucial role in the body’s immune system.¹ The bone marrow produces all of the body’s blood cells; these include red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.¹

Plasma cells make antibodies to help your body fight off infections in response to bacteria, viruses and other harmful substances found in the body. ² In multiple myeloma, abnormal plasma cells multiply rapidly, crowding out healthy plasma cells and reducing their production. Instead of producing infection-fighting antibodies, the malignant plasma cells produce abnormal proteins called monoclonal proteins (M-proteins or paraproteins), the hallmark characteristic of multiple myeloma.^1,2

Multiple myeloma often affects multiple areas of the body with most people having multiple bone lesions (areas of bone damage) at the time of diagnosis.² This is why it is called multiple myeloma.² Common sites for bone lesions include the spine, skull, shoulders, ribs and hips.¹

Multiple myeloma is considered a chronic disease and although research has significantly improved the prognosis—or predicted course of the disease, multiple myeloma remains incurable.¹

Despite research efforts by scientists, the exact cause of multiple myeloma is still unknown.¹ Like other cancers, multiple myeloma begins with one plasma cell undergoing changes that make it abnormal.⁶

A link has been demonstrated between multiple myeloma and a non-cancerous condition called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).1,6 MGUS has no associated symptoms, but there is a 1% chance each year of follow-up for people with MGUS developing active multiple myeloma.¹

Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma depend on the stage of disease, that is, how advanced the cancer has progressed.² Typically, this cancer damages bones and affects production of healthy blood cells, leading to symptoms.

In the early stages, myeloma may not cause any noticeable symptoms, but could be detected in a routine blood test.² In more advanced stages, multiple myeloma can cause a wide range of signs and symptoms.

Common signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma include:^2,8

• Persistent and recurrent bone pain and increased risk of fractures;

• Persistent or worsening fatigue (tiredness), weakness, and shortness of breath – usually due to decreased production of red blood cells (anaemia) caused by the disease;

• Increased thirst, abdominal pain, increased urinary frequency, nausea or vomiting, poor appetite and constipation – due to the bone destruction which increases the level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia);

• Blurred vision, confusion, headache, and dizziness – caused by hyperviscosity (overly thickening of the blood);

• Frequent or repeated infections - due to the low white blood cell count and decreased ability of the immune system to effectively fight infections (read more about multiple myeloma and infections here);

• Easy bruising and bleeding (such as frequent bleeding from the nose and gum, and heavy menstrual periods) – due to very low platelet count (thrombocytopenia);

• Leg swelling or reduction in the amount of urine – due to kidney problems; meaning that the kidneys are unable to properly filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. Most patients with kidney disease do not have any symptoms until the kidneys are severely impaired;

• Appetite changes and weight loss – due to high levels of calcium levels in the blood and/or kidney disease.

Speak with your doctor or healthcare professional if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Treatment for multiple myeloma aims to control the disease (stop its progression) and improve overall quality of life, as there is currently no cure.^1,14

Treatment is typically recommended during the active phases of the disease and will continue until your multiple myeloma has stopped progressing or is no longer detected.¹ With newer treatments, it is possible for multiple myeloma to be controlled for many years.¹⁴

While there are several types of treatment now available, the type of treatment you will receive (if any) will depend on:^14,15

• what stage your disease is at,
• your age, lifestyle,
• any treatments you may have already had (including their side effects),
• and the general health of your body.

Treatment options for multilpe myeloma may include:^14,15

• Medications - to treat symptoms of multiple myeloma or side effects of the cancer treatment;
• Chemotherapy - to destroy multiple myeloma cells and control the progression of the disease;
• Radiotherapy - to relieve bone pain, reduce localized tumuors and associated symptoms;
• Immunotherapy (targeted) - to stimulate the immune system to develop more cancer-fighting cells;
• Stem cell transplant - stem cells, which are found in bone marrow and blood, have the ability to produce new healthy cells.

Learn more about different types of cancer treatment here.

Research is ongoing in this space to constantly develop improved treatments. In some cases, your doctor may suggest you enter a clinical trial to receive the latest experimental treatment with drugs not yet available for general use.¹⁴

Read more about clinical trials in multiple myeloma here.

Getting a cancer diagnosis brings about a lot of emotions and sharing your diagnosis can be challenging.

Whether you receive a treatment or not, or even if your treatment has ended, you will need to have regular check-ups with your doctor to make sure that the disease is not progressing (getting worse), or returning (relapse).¹⁴

Each type of treatment has a different recovery journey, and some treatments have long-term side effects.¹⁶

Living with multiple myeloma can also affect your mental health and general wellbeing. It is important to incorporate a healthy diet and exercise (where possible) to help manage the physical and mental symptoms.¹⁶

If you are finding it hard to cope, or are struggling with symptoms or treatment, be sure to talk to your doctor or find a support group. There are many sources of support and information available to you.

The prognosis (outlook) and rates of survival for patients with multiple myeloma cancer vary depending on several factors including the stage of the disease, response to treatment, age and overall general health.⁹ Early-stage multiple myeloma generally has a better prognosis and survival rate compared to more advanced cancer that has spread.¹⁶

With treatments constantly improving, multiple myeloma may be controlled for several years.⁹

In Australia, the survival rate for multiple myeloma has improved over time.⁵ There was an increase in the 5-year survival rate up to 55% for individuals diagnosed in 2014-2018 compared with 28% for those diagnosed in the years 1989-1993.⁵


Your doctor will discuss your individual circumstances and prognosis with you.

• Clinical trials in multiple myeloma
• Multiple myeloma & infections