Multiple Myeloma

At the Rogel Cancer Center, there is hope, innovation and support for those diagnosed with a multiple myeloma or any other plasma cell neoplasms. Contact us: 734-647-8902

In 2011, Ruth was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Understanding that it is an incurable disease, she puts her best foot forward by starting each day with gratitude, receiving her treatment, and staying healthy. She cherishes the opportunity it is to wake up each day and choose her inner strength. This is her story and advice to others.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a type of blood cancer formed from plasma cells which are a type of white blood cell that lives in the bone marrow. MM is one of several types of plasma cell neoplasms that are diseases in which the body makes too many plasma cells.

Plasma cells develop from B lymphocytes (B cells), a type of white blood cell that is made in the bone marrow. Normally, when bacteria or viruses enter the body, some of the B cells will change into plasma cells. The plasma cells make antibodies to fight bacteria and viruses, to stop infection and disease.

Plasma cell neoplasms are diseases in which abnormal plasma cells or myeloma cells form tumors in the bones or soft tissues of the body. The plasma cells also make an antibody protein, called M protein, that is not needed by the body and does not help fight infection. These antibody proteins build up in the bone marrow and can cause the blood to thicken or can damage the kidneys.

Plasma cell neoplasms can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is not cancer but can become cancer. The following types of plasma cell neoplasms are cancer:

Plasmacytoma and Multiple myeloma are treated at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center’s Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma and Plasma Cell Dyscrasias Clinic. The clinic provides the finest in patient care through education, patient empowerment, clinical trial opportunities and participation with cancer specialists from other disciplines.

Our team of blood cancer experts has sub-specialty training so we can offer patients with multiple myeloma and other plasma disorders the highest standard of care and access to the latest therapies and drugs.

But multiple myeloma is unusual. The standard of care is changing rapidly because of abundant research projects and clinical trials that are extending life expectancy and quality of life. As a result, there are as many as 30 different options for treating the disease. In order to ensure the best treatment throughout Michigan, our specialists organized the Great Lakes Multiple Myeloma Working Group, an informal network with experts at other Michigan centers treating multiple myeloma. The shared goal is to find and bring the latest treatments and therapies to multiple myeloma patients not just at the University of Michigan, but throughout the state.

Make an appointment/referral

Patients: Please call 734-647-8902.

Healthcare professionals: Please call our M-LINE service: 800-962-3555.

Scheduling Appointments Online

If you have signed up for an account on the MyUofMHealth patient portal, you can manage and request appointments with your U-M physician online. Under the “Appointments” tab on MyUofMHealth.org, you can view upcoming or past appointments, cancel appointments up to 24 hours before your scheduled time, and request a new appointment.

Visit MyUofMHealth to register for or log into the patient portal.

Helpful Resources

This can be an anxious time. The following links are to programs which may be able to help:

Questions?

The nurses at Cancer AnswerLine™ have answers. Call 800-865-1125 and you'll get a personal response from one of our registered nurses, who have years of experience in caring for people with cancer.