Hematologist
CION Cancer Clinics
Myeloma explained: what it does to bones, kidneys and blood | CION Cancer Clinics
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer of plasma cells, the antibody-making cells in your bone marrow. The abnormal cells crowd the marrow in many bones at once, weaken bone, strain the kidneys, lower haemoglobin and make infections more likely. It is usually controlled with medicines rather than surgery. This page explains how it causes harm, how it is confirmed, and what your own report can and cannot tell you. At CION Cancer Clinics, our haematology team plans myeloma and lymphoma care with you, discussed at a tumour board and explained in plain words.
BP
Medically reviewed by Dr. Basudev PokhrelConsultant Haematologist · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
17+specialists on panel
15,000+patients treated
35+centres across Telangana & AP
4.8★ / 800+Google rating
On this page
- What is multiple myeloma, in plain words?
- What does myeloma do to bones, kidneys and blood?
- How is myeloma usually found and confirmed?
- What do the words on a myeloma report mean?
- What do families often get wrong about myeloma?
- What does treatment aim for, and what can this page not tell you?
- Common questions about multiple myeloma
The short answer
What is multiple myeloma, in plain words?
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer of plasma cells, the white cells in your bone marrow that make antibodies. One plasma cell goes wrong and copies itself again and again, and those copies crowd the marrow and pour out one useless antibody.
Why it is called "multiple"
Bone marrow sits inside many bones: the spine, the ribs, the pelvis, the skull and the long bones of the arms and legs. The abnormal cells usually settle in several of these places at once. That is why it is called multiple myeloma, and why it is treated as a disease of the whole body rather than a lump that can be cut out.
Why the antibody matters
The useless antibody is called M-protein, or paraprotein. It does not fight infection. It shows up as a sharp spike on a blood test, and doctors use its level to follow the disease over months and years. Some people make only a fragment of it, called a free light chain, which is harder on the kidneys.
Who tends to get it
It is mostly a disease of older adults, and slightly more common in men. It is not passed from person to person. Nothing you ate or did is known to have caused it.
!
Go to an emergency department today if you notice these
New back pain with weakness, numbness or heaviness in the legs, or trouble passing urine or stool, can mean the spine is pressing on the nerves. Extreme thirst, confusion, vomiting and severe constipation can mean the calcium in the blood is dangerously high. A fever while on treatment needs the same speed. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 108. Do not wait for your next clinic appointment.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistWhere it causes trouble
What does myeloma do to bones, kidneys and blood?
Most of the symptoms come from four problems. You may have one of them, several, or none yet when the disease is first found.
Bones
Myeloma cells switch on the cells that dissolve bone and switch off the cells that rebuild it. Small holes form, called lytic lesions. Bones weaken and can break with little force.
What you may feel
- Aching in the back, ribs or hips
- Pain that is worse on moving
- A sudden break or loss of height
Kidneys
Free light chains are filtered by the kidneys and can block the tiny tubes inside them. High calcium, dehydration and some painkillers add to the damage. Kidney trouble is sometimes the first sign of myeloma.
Tell every doctor you see that you have myeloma before taking painkillers or having a scan with dye.Blood counts
A crowded marrow makes fewer normal cells. Haemoglobin falls first, which brings tiredness and breathlessness. Platelets and white cells can fall too. In a few people the blood becomes thick with protein.
Infections
Because the marrow is busy making the one useless antibody, it makes fewer of the useful ones. Chest and urine infections can come often or hit harder than they should.
From first report to plan
How is myeloma usually found and confirmed?
-
A clue on a routine report
Often it starts with a low haemoglobin, a high total protein, raised calcium or a rising creatinine found for another reason. Sometimes it is a back X-ray taken for pain that will not settle.
-
Protein tests on blood and urine
Serum protein electrophoresis looks for the M-protein spike. Immunofixation names its type, and a free light chain test measures the fragments. A urine test may be asked for too.
-
A bone marrow test
A small sample is taken from the back of the hip bone under local anaesthetic. It shows what share of the marrow is abnormal plasma cells, and the cells are sent for chromosome tests.
-
Scans of the skeleton
A whole-body low-dose CT, PET-CT or MRI looks for bone damage that a plain X-ray can miss.
-
Deciding whether treatment is needed now
Your haematologist checks for the damage signs known as the CRAB criteria. Some people have the protein but no damage yet, and are watched closely instead of treated.
Leave a number, we will call you
One field. No form to fill in, and no charge for the call.
On your report
What do the words on a myeloma report mean?
- M-protein or paraprotein
- The single antibody made by the myeloma cells. Its level is the main number used to follow the disease.
- Free light chains
- Fragments of antibody measured in the blood as kappa and lambda. An unbalanced ratio between them points to one abnormal clone.
- MGUS
- A small amount of M-protein with no cancer damage. Most people with it never develop myeloma, but it is checked regularly.
- Smouldering myeloma
- More protein or more marrow plasma cells than MGUS, but still no damage to bones, kidneys or blood. Usually watched, not treated.
- Lytic lesion
- A hole in the bone seen on a scan, where myeloma has dissolved it.
- Beta-2 microglobulin
- A blood protein used, with albumin, to stage myeloma. It is not a diagnosis on its own.
Commonly believed
What do families often get wrong about myeloma?
"Back pain at his age is just old bones."
Most back pain is not myeloma. But pain that keeps getting worse, wakes you at night, or comes with tiredness and thirst deserves a blood test.
"A bone marrow test will spread the cancer."
It does not. The needle takes a sample from marrow that is already involved. Without it, your haematologist cannot confirm the diagnosis or read the chromosome tests that shape the plan.
"There is a protein spike, so treatment must start now."
Not always. A spike alone can be MGUS or smouldering myeloma. Treatment starts when there is damage, or clear signs that damage is close. Watching carefully is a real plan, not neglect.
"Myeloma is a death sentence, so why put her through it?"
Myeloma today is treated more like a long-term illness. Tablets and injections given in day-care can control it, ease pain and protect the kidneys. Many older people are treated with gentler plans built around how fit they are.
Being straight with you
What does treatment aim for, and what can this page not tell you?
Treatment aims to bring the M-protein down as far as possible, protect the bones and kidneys, and keep the disease quiet for as long as it can. Myeloma usually returns at some point, so most people move through more than one line of treatment over the years.
What a plan usually includes
A combination of medicines to control the myeloma, a bone-strengthening injection, support for the kidneys and blood counts, and protection against infection. For some fitter people, high-dose treatment with a stem cell transplant is discussed. CION's haematology team evaluates the case, presents it to a tumour board and coordinates transplant assessment with qualified centres where it is needed.
Who a stronger plan does not suit
Intensive treatment does not suit everyone. Frailty, heart or lung problems and poor kidney function can all tip the balance towards a gentler plan. Age alone is not the deciding factor.
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot tell you your stage, your risk group or your outlook. Those depend on your chromosome results, kidney function, fitness and how the disease responds. Only your own haematologist, with your full reports, can give you that picture.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about multiple myeloma
Is multiple myeloma a cancer?
Yes. It is a blood cancer that starts in plasma cells inside the bone marrow. It is not a bone cancer in the usual sense, even though it damages bone. It is treated by a haematologist or medical oncologist, mostly with medicines rather than surgery, and usually as day-care rather than a long hospital stay.
Can myeloma be treated away completely?
For most people it cannot be removed for good, and nobody should promise you that. It can often be controlled for long stretches, with breaks between treatments. Your haematologist will talk about control, response and quality of life rather than a finish line. How long control lasts differs a great deal from person to person.
Is myeloma hereditary? Should my children be tested?
Myeloma is not usually inherited. Close relatives have a slightly higher chance of MGUS, but routine testing of healthy children is not generally advised. If your family is worried, ask your haematologist at the next visit. They can explain what, if anything, is sensible for your family.
What is the difference between MGUS and myeloma?
Both make M-protein. In MGUS the amount is small, the marrow has few abnormal cells, and there is no damage to bones, kidneys or blood. Myeloma has more abnormal cells and, when active, causes damage. MGUS needs regular check-ups because a small share of people with it go on to develop myeloma.
Why does my father need so many kidney tests?
Light chains from myeloma can harm the kidneys quickly, and some myeloma medicines are adjusted to kidney function. Creatinine and urine tests show whether the kidneys are coping. Drinking enough water, unless told otherwise, and avoiding common painkillers without advice both help protect them.
Is the bone pain going to get better?
Often it does, once treatment starts working and a bone-strengthening injection is given. Radiotherapy to a painful spot, or a procedure to support a collapsed spine bone, may also help. Tell the team how bad the pain really is.
Which tests should we bring to the first appointment?
Bring every blood report you have, including complete blood counts, creatinine, calcium and any protein electrophoresis or free light chain results. Bring X-rays, scan films and discs, and a list of every medicine taken. Older reports show the trend.
Is myeloma treatment covered by Aarogyasri or insurance?
Parts of it often are. Aarogyasri, PM-JAY, CGHS, ECHS, EHS and many cashless insurance policies cover approved blood cancer treatment, but what is included varies and scheme rules change. Call the helpline with your card or policy details and the team will check your current cover before treatment begins.
Your Haematologist
Meet CION's haematologist. One specialist for your blood report and your plan.
Dr. Basudev Pokhrel reviews blood counts, transfusion needs and blood disorders, and works with the CION tumour board on blood cancers.
Want a specific doctor for your case? Mention them when booking.
Book Free ConsultationBook an appointment with our specialist
Share your name and number — we'll call you back within 30 minutes to schedule your consultation.
Sources
- NHS — Multiple myeloma
- Cancer Research UK — Myeloma
- National Cancer Institute — Plasma Cell Neoplasms (Including Multiple Myeloma) Treatment (PDQ) - Patient Version
- American Cancer Society — Multiple Myeloma
- Blood Cancer UK — Myeloma
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Keep reading
Related pages
The CRAB Criteria: How Myeloma Is DiagnosedThe damage signs that decide whether treatment startsM-Protein, Free Light Chains and What They TrackThe numbers used to follow myeloma over timeMyeloma Staging: ISS and R-ISSWhat stage I, II and III mean on your reportBone Disease in Myeloma: Fractures and Bone PainHow bone pain and breaks are treatedBlood cancer guideHow myeloma fits among the other blood cancers
Talk to us
Holding a report that mentions myeloma or M-protein?
Tell us what has been found so far. CION's haematology team will read it with you and help you reach the right specialist. One helpline serves every CION centre.