Multiple Myeloma

Check out the videos below to learn more about multiple myeloma signs and symptoms, treatments and your care team in English, Woodland Cree and Dene. We are also proud to feature the stories of patients and caregivers from northern Saskatchewan.

Multiple myeloma, or simply "myeloma", is a type of blood cancer. It starts in the bone marrow (the spongy tissue found inside bones), where special cells called plasma cells are made. When plasma cells are healthy, they make antibodies to fight infection.

In myeloma, these plasma cells become abnormal and turn into myeloma cells and grow uncontrollably. The myeloma cells make large amounts of an abnormal antibody called monoclonal protein (M-Protein), which can cause problems in different parts of the body.

image of a bone and the inside layers of a bone

Common Signs and Symptoms of Myeloma

Some of the most common signs and symptoms are:

Bone pain or fracture (spine, chest, hips, pelvis, or other areas)
Frequent or ongoing infections
Fatigue (feeling very tired)

**These symptoms are often mistaken for other health problems or thought to just be a part of getting older.

Other symptoms include:

Confusion or “mental fog”
Feeling sick (nausea)
Constipation
Feeling very thirsty
Needing to urinate often
Loss of appetite
Losing weight without trying (unexplained weight loss)

image of 4 different people in an animated way showing different signs of physical discomfort

How is Your Diagnosis Confirmed?

Myeloma cannot be diagnosed with one single test. Your diagnosis will be confirmed by looking at:

Blood and urine tests (including routine tests and special tests to check M-protein levels)
Bone marrow biopsy (to check your bone marrow for cancerous plasma cells, also called myeloma cells)
Medical imaging like X-rays, MRI, CT scans and PET scans (to look for bone damage)

Please visit myeloma.ca for more information on these tests.

Based on these results, your cancer will be given a stage from I to III. Stage I means it’s in the earliest phase, while Stage III means it’s more advanced. Staging helps both you and your health-care team decide on the best treatment plan for you.

How Treatable is Myeloma?

There are many treatment options for this cancer to improve your symptoms. Right now, myeloma is not considered to be curable, however, thanks to ongoing advancements in treatment, outcomes have greatly improved. You and your health-care team will decide the best management option for you based on your goals of care.

Please see some treatment options in the Frequently Asked Questions section below.

Your First Visit at the Cancer Centre

Your First Appointment is an important step in discussing your diagnosis, stage (which means how much the cancer has advanced), and possible treatment options. Together, you'll work with your health-care team to determine the best next steps for you.

If you have not completed a medication review or had a bone marrow biopsy prior to your appointment, these may be done at this time. Your health-care team will provide information to help you make an informed decision about your treatment plan. Treatment options depend on factors like your general health (for example, kidney function), age, lifestyle, the disease's nature (for example staging of myeloma), and complications or side effects of treatments.

During your visit, your health-care team will give you a Myeloma Patient Journal. In this journal, you can keep important contact information. It also provides space for you to write down your questions and support information, as well as your thoughts and feelings as they come up.

Important Contact Information

Regular Office Hours

To contact your blood cancer doctor (hematologist) or another member of your health-care team during regular office hours, please call:

Phone: 306-655-2662 (Saskatoon Cancer Centre Reception)
Phone: 306-766-2213 (Allan Blair Cancer Centre - Regina Reception)

After-hours, Weekends and Statutory Holidays

If you have an urgent issue on a weekday after 4:30 p.m., on a weekend, or on a statutory holiday, please call the numbers below. Ask to page the hematologist on call and they will call you back.

Phone: 306-655-1000 (Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon)
Phone: 306-766-2222 (Pasqua Hospital in Regina)

In Case of Emergency

In Saskatoon: Go to Royal University Hospital
In Regina: Go to Pasqua Hospital
Outside Saskatoon or Regina: Call 911 or go to your local emergency room

Note: You must be a patient of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. Please have your cancer identification number ready. It will begin with either and S or R. Reception can direct you to the appropriate office. If you need to leave a message, someone from the cancer centre will respond as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about myeloma by clicking on the arrows below.

What is Myeloma?

What Does Myeloma Do to My Body?

(This image was created using BioRender)

Myeloma can cause a range of problems in the body such as:

Bone Damage: Overcrowding of myeloma cells in the bone marrow causes bones to break down faster and prevents new bone cells from being made. This weakens the bones, making them more likely to break and causing bone pain. The pain often occurs in areas like the lower back, but it can also affect other bones, such as the ribs or hips (just some examples).
High Calcium (hypercalcemia): When bones break down, calcium can leak into your blood, causing high calcium levels. This is called hypercalcemia. Too much calcium in your blood can cause problems, like feeling sick, thirsty, constipated, or confused. It can also cause kidney damage.
Frequent Infections: Myeloma cells crowd the bone marrow, which lowers the number of cells that make good antibodies. Antibodies help fight infections, so with fewer of them, the immune system weakens and it’s easier to get infections.
Anemia: The large number of myeloma cells crowd the bone marrow and lowers healthy red blood cells, which leads to a low red blood cell count (called “anemia”). This makes it harder for the body to get enough oxygen, causing tiredness.
Kidney Problems: When there is too much M-protein or calcium in the blood, the kidneys can't remove their waste properly, which can cause kidney problems.

Why is this Disease Called Multiple Myeloma?

This disease is called multiple myeloma because myeloma cells can form in multiple (many) bones, such as the spine, ribs, or hips.

Who Gets Myeloma?

Anyone can get myeloma. The chance of getting myeloma increases as people get older - most people are diagnosed in their mid-60s. You can’t inherit myeloma (pass it on from one family member to the next generation) however, if someone in their family has had myeloma, there might be an increased chance of getting myeloma. The genetic link is not yet known.

The cause of myeloma is still not fully known, but more research suggests a possible connection between myeloma and a weakened immune system, DNA changes and environmental factors.

How Common is Myeloma in Canada?

Myeloma is the second most common form of blood cancer. In 2022, about 1 in 2,505 Canadians had myeloma.

It means myeloma is a rare condition, but it's important to be aware of it, especially since the number of Canadians being diagnosed with it is increasing year after year. In 2024, for example, 4,100 new cases were diagnosed in Canada.

What is MGUS? What is Smoldering (or Asymptomatic) Myeloma?

(This image was created using BioRender)

MGUS (Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance) is the first stage of myeloma. It means there are a small number of abnormal plasma cells (and M-proteins) in your blood. MGUS doesn’t cause health problems, but doctors watch it because it could turn into something more serious. Each year, only about 1 out of 100 people with MGUS develop myeloma.

Smoldering (or asymptomatic) myeloma is a stage between MGUS and myeloma. At this stage, there are more abnormal plasma cells (and more M-proteins) in the body, but they are not causing any symptoms or health problems. So, doctors don’t start treatment right away, but they watch closely with regular check-ups to see if it changes or starts to progress.

Why is Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Myeloma Important?

The sooner myeloma is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance to manage health and well-being effectively.

Are Myeloma and Melanoma the Same?

No. They are often confused, but they are unrelated. Myeloma is a blood cancer, while melanoma is a skin cancer.

Treatment

What Are My Treatment Options?

Myeloma treatment is constantly changing based on research. Usually, multiple different kinds of treatments are combined into one treatment regimen for the best possible outcome.

Some treatment options include:

Monoclonal Antibodies: Medicine that act like the body’s natural antibodies. They find and stick to cancer cells to help the immune system attack them. Some examples are Daratumumab and Isatuximab.
IMiDs (Immunomodulatory Agents): Medicines that help the immune system work better and slow down or stop the growth of myeloma cells. Some examples are Lenalidomide and Pomalidomide.
PIs (Proteasome Inhibitors): Medicines that block a system inside cells that removes waste. This causes myeloma cells to fill up with waste and die. Some examples are: Bortezomib and Carfilzomib.
Corticosteroids (Steroids): Medicines that reduce swelling and help fight cancer. They can also help other myeloma treatments work better. Some examples are Dexamethasone and Prednisone.
Stem Cell Transplant: Stem cells are the body's "factory" for making new blood cells in the bone marrow.
One type of stem cell transplant is called an autologous (or “auto”) transplant. The patient’s own healthy stem cells are taken from the blood. Strong medicine (chemotherapy) is given to kill as many myeloma cells as possible. Then the stem cells are returned to the body to help make new, healthy blood cells.
Radiation Therapy: A treatment that uses strong energy beams (like X-rays) to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. Radiation is sometimes used to treat bone pain or a group of myeloma cells (called a plasmacytoma) in one spot.
Supportive Care: Helps manage symptoms, complications, and myeloma treatment side effects. It also improves overall well-being. For example, it can include pain medications or bone-strengthening treatments.
Bispecific Antibodies: A medicine that can stick to two things at once. One part sticks to cancer cells (myeloma cells), and the other part sticks to immune cells called T-cells. This helps immune cells get closer to the cancer cells, making it easier for them to destroy the cancer—kind of like how firefighters need to get close to a fire to stop it faster.
CAR T-Cell Therapy: This treatment turns your body’s T cells (a type of immune cell) into "super soldiers" designed to fight myeloma. The T cells are collected, tweaked in the lab, and then put back into your body to better recognize and destroy cancer cells.
New Treatments in Clinical Trials: A clinical trial is a research study with patients to explore new treatments or better ways to use current ones. The goal is to find better ways to treat the disease and improve quality of life. Eligibility depends on factors like previous treatments, health and other criteria. See here to find clinical trials in Canada.

What is Myeloma Remission. What is Myeloma Relapse?

Most people with myeloma will have times when the disease is under control (remission) and times when it comes back (relapse).

Remission: This means myeloma signs, symptoms and lab abnormalities go away, partly or completely.

Relapse: This happens when myeloma comes back after a period of remission. Some myeloma cells may survive treatment and start growing again. When this happens, symptoms return and your health-care team may consider new treatment options and may also talk to you about clinical trials that could help.

Experiencing a relapse in myeloma can be very stressful. Your health-care team is here to support you every step of the way.

What Are Some Myeloma Treatment Side Effects?

The goal of myeloma treatment is to get rid of myeloma cells, but it can also affect healthy cells in your body, causing side effects. These side effects can be different for each person and each type of treatment.

Some side effects may include:

Stomach upset, nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
Hair loss
Sores in the mouth
Infections
Feeling very tired (fatigue)
Low red blood cell count (anemia)
Numbness in your hands, arms, legs or feet
Allergic reactions

However, your health-care team will provide you with specific information on side effects for each treatment that is recommended.

Ask your health-care team: What side effects might happen, and which ones should I contact my doctor about? They can help you manage any problems and give you advice on what to do.

Please visit myeloma.ca for more information.

Support Groups

Are Support Options Available to Me?

Yes, you are not alone in your journey with myeloma. Getting diagnosed with myeloma can feel very overwhelming. There is no right or wrong way to feel receiving this diagnosis. You can get support by:

Talking to your health-care team including nurses and social workers. Sometimes, simply sharing your thoughts and feelings can make a big difference. In other cases, additional treatment or support may be helpful.
Talking to family and friends.
Joining a myeloma support group.

Support Groups Available

Regina Multiple Myeloma Support Group
Visit: Myeloma Canada
Email: reginasupport@myeloma.ca
Phone: 306-535-3873 or 306-543-5139

Saskatoon Multiple Myeloma Support Group
Visit: Myeloma Canada
Email: saskatoonsupport@myeloma.ca

Myeloma Resources and Information

Myeloma Resources and Information

Myeloma Canada Assistance Line
This Assistance Line will connect you with an information specialist who can help you find local resources or other information in your area.

Myeloma InfoLine - International Myeloma Foundation
Visit: Myeloma InfoLine
Phone: 1-800-452-2873 (Canada & US)

Canadian Cancer Society Helpline
This Helpline is not specific to myeloma; however, it's a valuable resource for cancer-related questions and support. Interpreter services are available in more than 20 Indigenous languages.
Phone: 1-888-939-3333.

First Nations and Métis Resources

Spiritual Counselling

Providing an integrated and culturally respectful approach to care for First Nations and Métis people spiritual support is available.

Saskatoon Health Region First Nations and Métis Health Services
Phone: 306‐655‐0166 (Royal University Hospital)
Phone: 306‐655‐0518 (St. Paul’s Hospital)

Regina Native Health Services
Phone: 306‐766‐4155 (Regina General Hospital)
Phone: 306‐766‐2232 (Pasqua Hospital)