What is multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a bone marrow-based cancer that arises in plasma cells, a type of white blood cells that produce proteins that help the body fight infections (known as antibodies). Multiple myeloma occurs when plasma cells become abnormal and begin to divide and reproduce in an uncontrolled way.

How do members experience multiple myeloma?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with multiple myeloma*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for multiple myeloma*

*Data from patients with multiple myeloma, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with multiple myeloma*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Darzalex)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple myeloma (5 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
5
Tried for
multiple myeloma (12)
Treatment

(Pomalyst)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
multiple myeloma (4)
Treatment

(Velcade)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
multiple myeloma (3)
Treatment

(Decadron)
Perceived effectiveness
for multiple myeloma (4 evaluations)
Side effects
difficulty staying asleep food cravings 2 more
Total evaluations
4
Tried for
multiple myeloma (2)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
multiple myeloma (1)

*Data from patients with multiple myeloma, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has multiple myeloma on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 0
20s 15
30s 61
40s 156
50s 697
60s 1,546
70+ 2,586

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 2,027
Female 3,098