What are plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma? Plasmacytoma is cancer where abnormal plasma cells called myeloma cells form a tumor in the bone. Multiple myeloma is when you have more than one tumor. Multiple myeloma is a rare and life-threatening cancer of the bone marrow. (Kindersley, 2004) When my husband was diagnosed with plasmacytoma in February of 2011, we were told that multiple myeloma was not hereditary, and his mother passed from multiple myeloma in 2005. After much research, I have found out that there is four times greater chance of getting it if a parent or sibling has had multiple myeloma. However, this has only been found in a small number of cases.
             Plasmacytoma comes from a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Normal white blood cells grow and produce antibodies to help fight off infections. These cells normally grow old, die, and new cells take their place. However, when the old cells do not die they form a mass or a tumor. These abnormal cells called myeloma cells form in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside the bones. Bones that are rich in the marrow are the breastbone, spine, ribs, skull, pelvic bones, and the long bone of the thigh. The myeloma cells begin to multiply uncontrollably it becomes multiple myeloma. Myeloma tumors keep the bone marrow from producing enough healthy blood cells. Bone marrow normally makes three types of healthy blood cells. The first is red blood cells that carry oxygen to all the tissues of the body. Second are white blood cells that fight infection and disease. Third are platelets that form blood clots to help prevent bleeding. (Unknown, National Cancer Institute, 2012) Myeloma cells also damage and weaken the bones.
             Multiple myeloma is the second-most common blood cancer after non-Hodgkin lymphoma. (Unknown, Cancer Treatment Centers of America) It accounts for 1% of all cancers. It occurs in about 20,000 people in the United States each year and i...