What is multiple myeloma? a cancer?

Yes: Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the bone and bone marrow. It is uncontrolled proliferation of plasma cells; cells that make antibodies. Ironically multiple myeloma results in immune deficiency. It also causes lytic bone lesions and fractures, increased blood calcium, renal failure, anemia and often results in death.

Bone marrow cancer : Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow. It can cause anemia, bone lesions and kidney problems and is treated with chemotherapy.

Plasma cell cancer: Multiple myeloma (mm) is a clonal disorder (=cancer) of plasma cells. Plasma cells (pc) produce immunoglobulins (aka antibodies). In mm, pcs produce monoclonal ig’s (m-proteins, m-spike, paraprotein). The abnormal proliferation of pcs and abnormal m-protein production cause the clinical features of mm -- eg crab = hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, anemia, bone lesions (etc).