It happens when myeloma cells damage or thin the bones where they grow. You typically feel it in your back or ribs, but it can affect any bone. Rheumatoid arthritis, which affects the joints of your hands and wrists, might also be mistaken for multiple myeloma.
What can be confused with myeloma?
Myeloma shares some similar features and symptoms with other blood disorders, including: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance(MGRS) Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM)
Can arthritis cause myeloma?
the meta-estimate of the association between rheumatoid arthritis and myeloma was 1.14 (95% CI, 0.97–1.33) overall, with significant heterogeneity among studies.
Can arthritis be misdiagnosed as bone cancer?
Any bone can be affected, although bone cancer most often develops in the long bones of the legs or upper arms. The pain can sometimes be wrongly mistaken for arthritis in adults and growing pains in children and teenagers.
Can arthritis be mistaken for myeloma Related Questions
Where does bone pain start with myeloma?
Multiple myeloma can cause pain in affected bones – usually the back, ribs or hips. The pain is frequently a persistent dull ache, which may be made worse by movement.
What bones does multiple myeloma affect first?
Spinal Problems Back pain is often the first symptom of multiple myeloma. Because back problems are common, they might not initially be associated with the disease. However, a backache that lasts for months can be a signal that multiple myeloma is affecting the bones in the spine or ribs.
What is the most prominent symptom of multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma causes many symptoms, but bone pain often is the first symptom people notice. Other symptoms include: Weakness in your arms and legs and/or a sensation of numbness in your arms and legs. Multiple myeloma can affect the bones in your spine, causing them to collapse and press on your spinal cord.
What are the red flags for multiple myeloma?
These 6 symptoms in turn cause other symptoms such as confusion or mental fogginess, nausea, constipation, weight-loss, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, fever and bruising.
Is multiple myeloma ever misdiagnosed?
They said that multiple myeloma is often misdiagnosed because of its symptoms which can be easily confused with other health complications, and patients end up seeing general physicians, nephrologists and even haematologists.
Which bones are most affected by multiple myeloma?
The bones most commonly affected are the spine, pelvis, ribs, skull, and the long bones of the arms and legs.
What bones hurt with multiple myeloma?
Bone pain is a common symptom. Myeloma cells grow in the bone marrow and cortical bone, causing local bone damage or generalized thinning of the bone, which is called osteoporosis. This makes the bone more likely to break. The back or ribs are the most common sites of bone pain, but any bone can be affected.
Is arthritis a disease of bone marrow?
Background. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, autoimmune disease leading to joint destruction and ultimately disability. Bone marrow (BM) is an important compartment in RA, where pathological processes from “outside the joint” can occur.
How do I know if I have arthritis or bone cancer?
Signs and symptoms of bone cancer persistent bone pain that gets worse over time and continues into the night. swelling and redness (inflammation) over a bone, which can make movement difficult if the affected bone is near a joint. a noticeable lump over a bone. a weak bone that breaks (fractures) more easily than …
How do you know the difference between arthritis and bone cancer?
Bone pain tends to be localized and is often described as sharp pain, especially when associated with fracture. Even the sensation produced by bone cancer has been described as similar to having breaks in the bone. Joint pain is typically limited to the affected joint.
What disease can be mistaken for arthritis?
Lupus and Scleroderma The autoimmune diseases systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma are two separate conditions but often present with joint involvement that mimics rheumatoid arthritis.
When do you suspect multiple myeloma?
It’s often only suspected or diagnosed after a routine blood or urine test. However, myeloma will eventually cause a wide range of problems, including: a persistent dull ache or specific areas of tenderness in your bones. weak bones that break (fracture) easily.
Where does myeloma spread to first?
At first, the cells reproduce in the bone marrow of the spine. From there, they enter the bloodstream and travel to bone marrow in other parts of the body. They collect in the bone marrow and the hard, outer part of the bones. As this progression happens, the plasma cells can cause multiple tumors.
What part of the back hurts with multiple myeloma?
Up to 70 out of every 100 people (70%) have pain when they are diagnosed with myeloma. People mostly describe the pain as dull or aching, and it is often felt in the lower back or ribs.It might feel like there is pain in your muscles too. Pain in the bones is caused by a lot of plasma cells collecting there.
How do you rule out multiple myeloma?
Bone marrow biopsy This test is required to confirm the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. A needle is inserted into the bone marrow space to remove a small sliver of bone marrow. Our hematopathologists examine the tissue under a microscope to determine if there are myeloma cells in the bone marrow.
What is the first clinical manifestation of multiple myeloma?
Early indicators of the presence of multiple myeloma include anemia (73%), bone pain (58%), elevated creatinine (48%), and generalized fatigue (32%) [1].