Multiple Myeloma Causes

Multiple myeloma is a kind of blood borne cancer. The main cause of cancer is genetic mutation- when the structure of the DNA in the cell is altered. The DNA holds all the information for a cell. It tells the cell when to grow, divide itself or to die. As a result of mutation, the instructions contained in the DNA are changed. Sometimes it accelerates the cell growth and stops the cell from dying. The old cells do not die, and the new cells continue to form. As a result, mutated cells start to build up in the body at a large number.

Uncontrollable reproduction of cells is the ultimate result. In the case of multiple myeloma, this leads to too many plasma cells or white blood cells inside the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft, blood producing tissue that is found inside most of our bones. For any normal person, the bone marrow consists of less than five% of plasma cells. However, for a multiple myeloma patient, the ratio is more than ten % This is called multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma, unlike most cancers spreads through the bloodstream. The mutate cells start from the bone marrow of the spine, then spreads thorough the body by bloodstream and affect the other bones such as the skull or the hips. The disease is called multiple myeloma because it can spread very fast throughout the body via the bloodstream.

Most cancers are localized to one part of the body. However, it is completely different in case of multiple myeloma. It is very hard to completely cure multiple myeloma, as it moves from one part of the body to another very fast.

Now let us see some of the risk factors and multiple myeloma:

Scientists are not sure of what triggers multiple myeloma yet. Why the DNA in the plasma cells mutates into these cancerous cells is still unknown. According to experts, the following factors may be associated with multiple myeloma causes:

1. Age: Almost 96% of the multiple myeloma cases were diagnosed in patients over 45 years of age. So, age maybe a big factor when it comes to multiple myeloma causes.

2. Genetics: We know people who have a close relative or family history of cancer may have a higher risk of having cancer. This is true for multiple myeloma too.

3. Obesity: This is a risk factor for many diseases, including multiple myeloma.

4. Food habits: Some studies have shown that there might be a link to having a diet low in fish and green vegetables. This may be a risk factor for multiple myeloma causes.

5. HIV/ AIDS: People with HIV or AIDS have a very weak immune system. So, they are more susceptible to this disease.

6. Occupation: Compared to the rest of the occupation, people who work in agriculture, leather industries, cosmetology, etc have a higher chance of getting this multiple myeloma. SO, this can one of the multiple myeloma causes.

7. Exposure to radiation: People who were exposed to radiation have a higher chance of having multiple myeloma.