Features of diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma

Abstract

Multiple myeloma is a variant of chronic lymphoblastic leukemia in which there is an uncontrolled formation of plasma cells due to DNA mutation of B lymphocytes with their subsequent colonization in bone tissue. Increased production of immunoglobulins by plasma cells leads to the disruption of the immune system, and damage to bone tissue causes persistent bone pain and frequent bone destruction. Since the produced pathological immunoglobulins are metabolized by the kidneys, one of the clinical manifestations of the disease is renal amyloidosis. Nonspecific clinical symptoms of multiple myeloma also include peripheral neuropathy, spinal cord compression syndrome, and anemia. The disease is quite rare; it is detected mainly in elderly age, and there is some prevalence of this pathology in people of the Negroid race. The origin of the disease remains not fully understood; a number of authors tend to believe that it is based on a genetic predisposition and possible influence of radiation. Diagnosis of multiple myeloma is based on the detection of an increased content of plasma cells and the detection of pathological immunoglobulins. The disease is considered incurable; symptomatic treatment is aimed at decreasing the production of plasma cells and reducing their production of protein substances.