Multiple myeloma is known as a type of cancer that is formed from a type of white blood cell, which is called a plasma cell. The plasma cells are what helps you to fight the infections in order to make antibodies so that it can recognize and attack the germs. Multiple myeloma can cause the cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow and overtake the healthy blood cells.

Instead of making healthy antibodies, the cancer cells only produce abnormal proteins that will only cause complications. Some signs and symptoms of myeloma will always vary. A few of the signs will be nausea, bone pain, no appetite, constipation, fatigue, weight loss, excessive thirst, weakness or numbness in the legs, constant infections, and mental confusion. Causes and risk factors for multiple myeloma include the following:

1. Abnormal bone marrow cells
Many of the doctors know that myeloma starts with one abnormal plasma cell that is in the bone marrow, which is the soft tissue that is filled in the center of most of your bones. Then abnormal cells begin to rapidly multiply throughout the body. Since cancer cells do not mature and die like the normal cells, they start to accumulate and overwhelm the production of the normal healthy cells. Inside the bone marrow, the myeloma cells will crowd the white and red blood cells, which will make them tired and unable to fight off the infection. The myeloma cells continue to try and produce antibodies, which is what healthy plasma cells are supposed to do, but the cells will begin to produce abnormal antibodies the body will not be able to use. The abnormal cells will only create a build up of monoclonal proteins and cause problems such as damage to the kidneys.

2. Age (over 60-years old)
Multiple myeloma will have a higher risk the older that you get. Many people that are over 60 will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

3. Exposure to radiation or chemicals
Individuals that are more exposed to radiation or pesticides, benzene, asbestos, and any other chemicals, are more likely to be at higher risk for developing myeloma.

4. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
This is a condition in which someone has high levels of an abnormal protein that is known as the M protein in the blood.

5. Medical history of a solitary plasmacytoma of the bone
Solitary plasmacytoma is a disorder that is very similar to multiple myeloma. People that have this disorder do not have any myeloma cells in their bone marrow or through the body. This means that they have a tumor that is composed of the plasma cells which is restricted to a specific single part of the body.

6. Gender (more common in males)
Men are more likely to be diagnosed with multiple myeloma than women are.