Multiple myeloma, also known as Kahler’s disease, is a form of blood cancer in which the white blood cells responsible for making antibodies begin multiplying abnormally, eventually crowding the healthy cells. This leads to too much protein (called immunoglobulin) being produced and spread throughout the body, resulting in organ damage. The treatment options for this disease primarily focus on relieving the symptoms as well as slowing down the growth of myeloma.

Common symptoms
Some people with Kahler’s disease may experience more common signs, whereas others may exhibit rare symptoms. Some may also experience severe multiple myeloma symptoms, whereas some may not experience any symptoms at all. Experts have been able to narrow down a few common signs of the condition.

Anemia
This is a common multiple myeloma symptom that develops when blood does not have enough red blood cells. In this condition, the cancerous plasma cells either suppress or crowd out the red blood cells in the body, leading to anemia. This can lead to a wide range of secondary symptoms such as dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, and even yellow or pale skin. People can also experience cold feet and hands, and they may feel weak and constantly tired.

Bone pain
One of the most common multiple myeloma symptoms is bone pain, which develops as the abnormal cells start accumulating in the marrow and cortical bone. This eventually leads to bone damage and even causes the thinning of the bone or osteoporosis. The thin or damaged bone is now more prone to breakage and is more susceptible to fractures. People with multiple myeloma typically experience pain in the back or their ribs, but this condition can affect any bone. In rare cases, myeloma can also grow in the spine, which can cause the vertebrae to collapse and lead to other conditions such as compression fractures. In advanced stages of multiple myeloma, people may lose inches from their height due to vertebrae compression.

Numbness
Individuals may also experience numbness, weakness, or pain in their legs, arms, and other areas. This could happen if the vertebrae collapse and press against the spinal cord. The vertebrae could also press against a nerve which could lead to numbness.

Hypercalcemia
The increase of calcium levels in the blood is known as hypercalcemia. In this condition, hypercalcemia typically arises due to the breakdown and thinning of bones in the body, which leads to high levels of calcium in the blood. This can lead to other symptoms such as drowsiness and constipation and in some cases, renal damage.

Fatigue
Excessive fatigue is a common multiple myeloma symptom, which could be a result of anemia or could be caused by other factors such as abnormal production of cytokine in the body.

Infections
Infections of the upper respiratory tract and fever can be observed in those affected by the disease. This is because multiple myeloma can result in weakened immunity due to fewer antibodies, which makes it harder for the body to fight infections.

Hyperviscosity syndrome
Multiple myeloma can also lead to hyperviscosity syndrome, in which the blood in the body thickens. This is caused due to an increase in M-proteins that are made from the abnormal plasma cells from the myeloma. As the blood is thick, the heart has to pump harder for it to reach all parts of the body. Hyperviscosity can also lead to other issues such as increased blood clots, bleeding in the gums, bruising, and cloudy vision.

Kidney failure
The kidneys are responsible for filtering the toxins out of the blood; however, multiple myeloma can disrupt this process which can lead to kidney failure. In this condition, the abnormal plasma cells release M-proteins, which make it difficult for the kidneys to function properly and hinder the filtering process. Kidney failure is not usually detected in the early stages as it may not show any symptoms at the time. In the advanced stages of kidney failure, individuals can experience itchiness, weakness, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, swelling of the legs, and trouble sleeping.

Multiple myeloma can lead to issues such as blood being unable to form clots due to fewer platelets (or thrombocytopenia), inflammation of blood vessels (or cryoglobulinemia), and buildup of abnormal proteins that can further damage the organs. In rare cases, when people do not show any visible multiple myeloma symptoms, the doctors detect cancer while conducting diagnostics such as urine or blood tests for other reasons. This makes it essential to have periodical checkups and recognize the signs to receive early treatment.