Metastasis
In most cases, the plasmocytoma spreads diffusely throughout the bone marrow and is therefore more or less detectable everywhere. In areas of high activity, so-called osteolysis foci (bone corrosion) become visible on the X-ray image. A spread to other organs is rare. In most cases, lymph nodes are affected.
Complications
Listed below are common problems and complications that can occur with plasmocytoma multiple myeloma:
- Pathological fractures: Pathological fractures are spontaneous fractures caused by the bone fracture of plasma cells. Thus, a sudden onset of pain can be a sign of a vertebral body fracture. The osteolyses are the result of the release of messenger substances by the degenerated plasma cells.
These stimulate the cells that break down bone substance (osteoclasts) (see above).
- Excessive calcium in the blood:The attacks on the bones can also lead to an increase in the level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia) and the associated symptoms such as thirst, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. The increased calcium can be deposited in the kidneys during excretion, leading to kidney damage, as can the proteins mentioned above (monoclonal immunoglobulins, Bence Jones proteins). Sooner or later these are deposited in the kidneys and damage them.
- Due to the tumor growth of plasma cells in the bone marrow, the stem cells of the red blood cells are displaced.
This leads to anemia (lack of blood). For the same reason, a deficit of blood platelets can also occur, increasing the risk of bleeding. The immune system can be disturbed by a disturbed production of immunoglobulins. This increases the risk of infection, from which the patient also recovers less quickly.
Prognosis
Thanks to medical research and improved therapeutic options, the prognosis of Kahler’s disease has improved considerably in recent years. Nevertheless, apart from a few exceptional cases, plasmocytoma is not curable today. The period of symptom-free months and years is becoming increasingly longer.
Unfortunately, in almost all cases there is a renewed activity of the disease and a so-called relapse (recurrence). A fundamentally new form of therapy to cure plasmocytoma is currently not foreseeable. Nevertheless, with a continuous improvement of the therapy options, an extension of the survival time will become possible.
In some cases, a plasmocytoma can develop into acute leukemia. This worsens the general prognosis.
