Overcoming the barriers preventing early diagnosis of multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common haematological malignancy in the UK, accounting for at least 2% of all cancer-related deaths and claiming approximately 3,000 lives each year.¹ This sobering statistic highlights the pressing need for better awareness, timely diagnosis and effective management of this challenging condition. Unfortunately, MM often goes undetected until its later stages due to non-specific symptoms² – including fatigue, weight loss, bone pain and recurrent infections³ – but, as with many cancers, early detection is a critical factor in improving outcomes. In fact, early diagnosis has the potential to be the most effective ‘treatment’ available for MM patients, offering them the best chances of a better quality of life and long-term survival. This article examines the current challenges in diagnosing MM, advances in diagnostic technologies, and the systemic changes needed to close the gap between research and clinical practice.

Understanding multiple myeloma

MM is a type of blood cancer that develops when plasma cells in the bone marrow become cancerous. Plasma cells are a subset of white blood cells responsible for producing antibodies to combat infections. When these cells become cancerous, they produce large amounts of monoclonal proteins (M proteins), commonly known as paraproteins, which lack the ability to defend against infections.³ Furthermore, the proliferation of cancerous plasma cells in the bone marrow suppresses the production of healthy blood cells, leading to low counts of red blood cells, other white blood cells and platelets.^3,4 This disruption can lead to complications such as anaemia, immunosuppression, increased susceptibility to infections, and various types of organ damage.