Is multiple myeloma a lethal or dangerous disease?
Multiple myeloma is a malignant disease that can cause a wide range of symptoms that we will review thoroughly in this article and can also result in death if not treated. However, many people with multiple myeloma live long, happy lives.
However, this depends on different factors, including your age and some disease features, including the level of C-reactive protein, beta-2-microglobulin, and blood calcium levels. Another sign of bad prognosis is having an actual tumor mass in the vertebrae, Bence Jones proteinemia, or kidney impairment with a creatinine level lower than 2 mg/dL.
One of the main problems with multiple myeloma is how the disease affects the immune system. That is what makes multiple myeloma more dangerous, and infections are a common cause of death in these patients, especially during the first months after the diagnosis is made.