Myeloomaan

Myeloomaan is the Finnish illative form of myelooma, referring to the hematologic cancer known in English as multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a malignant neoplasm of plasma cells that typically originates in the bone marrow and can disrupt normal blood cell production, bone integrity, and immune function.

Pathophysiology involves malignant plasma cells that proliferate in the marrow, producing monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-protein) or free light chains. These cells or their products interfere with normal bone remodeling, often causing lytic bone lesions, bone pain, anemia, kidney dysfunction, and increased susceptibility to infections.

Diagnosis and staging rely on several criteria. A bone marrow biopsy shows clonal plasma cells, and serum or urine testing detects M-protein; serum free light-chain assays clarify the clone. Imaging methods such as X-ray, CT, MRI, or PET-CT reveal bone involvement. Staging uses systems such as the International Staging System (ISS) or the Revised ISS (R-ISS), which incorporate disease biology and organ function.

Treatment and prognosis focus on systemic control and supportive care. Eligible patients may receive autologous stem cell transplantation, while others obtain combination therapy with proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, corticosteroids, and monoclonal antibodies. Ongoing management includes bisphosphonates for bone disease, infection prevention, renal protection, and treatment of anemia. Survival has improved with newer therapies, but relapse is common and outcomes vary with disease stage, biology, and patient factors.