Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a highly malignant and incurable plasma cell abnormality originating in the bone marrow.
Bone destruction by plasma cells occurs in the ribs, sternum, skull, vertebrae, and proximal ends of the long bones.
Middle-aged and elderly people are most often affected. The disease is slow, with steadily increasing pain similiar to that of arthritis, especially in the back.
Calcium accumulating in the bloodstream causes anorexia, nausea and vomiting, constipation, lethargy, confusion, and heart muscle irritability.
Abnormal proteins filtering out of the urine cause impaired renal function. Since normal functioning of the plasma cells has to do with immunity, the multiple myeloma patient may have signs of infection.
Reference :Farrell J : Nursing Care of the Older Person, J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, 1990.
