Multiple myeloma
Ramasamy K., Lonial S.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by the proliferation of a clone of plasma cells that produce a monoclonal protein. The plasma cell proliferation results in extensive skeletal destruction, with osteolytic lesions, hypercalcaemia, anaemia and/or soft tissue plasmacytomas. In addition, the excessive production of nephrotoxic monoclonal proteins can result in renal failure and an increased risk of developing potentially life-threatening infections due to the lack of functional immunoglobulins. Pathobiology, clinical presentation, complications of the disease, and their management, are discussed in this chapter.