Why does multiple myeloma cause recurrent infections?

Infection is a major complication and a leading cause of death in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) [1]. The risk of infection is due to a multifactorial immunodeficiency caused by the disease itself and the treatment regimens given during the different phases of therapy [2].

What infections are associated with multiple myeloma?

The most common infections were meningitis, septicemia, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, cellulitis, and pyelonephritis. The risk of viral infections was 10-fold higher overall and 18-fold during the first year. Influenza infection and herpes zoster were the most frequent viral infections.

Is multiple myeloma a bacterial infection?

Characteristics of patients with myeloma, and their matched controls. The majority of infections were bacterial: 87% in MM patients and 85% in controls. Overall, multiple myeloma patients had a significant 7-fold (HR=7.1; 95%CI: 6.8–7.4) increased risk of developing any infection compared to matched controls.

What are four complications of multiple myeloma?

Complications of multiple myeloma include renal insufficiency, hematologic complications (anemia, bone marrow failure, bleeding disorders), infections, bone complications (pathologic fractures, spinal cord compression, hyercalcemia), and neurologic complications (spinal cord and nerve root compression, intracranial …

Does multiple myeloma cause UTI?

A total of 59 infections were encountered in 29/46 patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Most infections arose in the urinary tract (31%), respiratory tract (29%), followed by blood (12%), oropharynx (12%), skin and soft tissue (7%).

Can multiple myeloma cause fevers?

Because patients with multiple myeloma experience bacterial infections, they also frequently experience fevers. Tumor-associated fever caused by multiple myeloma, however, is thought to be rare. In a review5 of 869 patients with multiple myeloma, only 8 experienced fevers caused by multiple myeloma itself.

What is the most common complication of multiple myeloma?

Complications of multiple myeloma include:

• Frequent infections. Myeloma cells inhibit your body’s ability to fight infections.
• Bone problems. Multiple myeloma can also affect your bones, leading to bone pain, thinning bones and broken bones.
• Reduced kidney function.
• Low red blood cell count (anemia).

Is death from myeloma painful?

Accounts of those who have accompanied a loved one as they died from complications of multiple myeloma generally report a relatively calm death in which pain has been effectively managed.

Does multiple myeloma cause pneumonia?

“We found the risk of specific infections, such as pneumonia and septicemia to be more than 10 times higher in patients than in controls during the first year after diagnosis of multiple myeloma.” The infection rate doubled between the earliest and latest years included in the analysis, which spanned 1988 to 2004.

How many stages of multiple myeloma are there?

In this system, there are three stages of myeloma: Stage I, Stage II, and Stage III. The stage depends on factors including: The amount of myeloma cells in the body. The amount of damage the myeloma cells have caused to the bone.

When and how to treat relapsed multiple myeloma?

Thomas G. Martin, MD, speaks to the FDA approval of isatuximab, carfilzomib, and dexamethasone, and potential future directors for isatuximab. Combination therapies, in particular those using 3 and 4 drugs, have improved response rates and survival outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

How to live longer with multiple myeloma?

Immunomodulatory drugs. Also known as biological therapies,these medicines are designed to help turn your body’s immune system into a cancer-fighting tool.

Is there a complete cure for multiple myeloma?

There’s no cure, but treatments can slow its spread and sometimes make symptoms go away. A type of white blood cell called a plasma cell makes antibodies that fight infections in your body. When you have multiple myeloma, these cells multiply the wrong way.

What is the best treatment for multiple myeloma?

Therapies using medication. Treatments using medication are used to destroy cancer cells.