Skip to main content
Fr Donate
  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Cancer types
  4. Multiple myeloma
  5. Spread of multiple myeloma
Print

Spread of multiple myeloma

  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Cancer types
  4. Multiple myeloma
  5. Spread of multiple myeloma
Print

Multiple myeloma is usually widespread by the time it is diagnosed. It affects multiple (more than 1) bones or multiple areas of a bone.

The most common bones where multiple myeloma occurs include:

  • spine (vertebrae)
  • ribs
  • breastbone (sternum)
  • hips
  • shoulder blade (scapula)
  • skull
  • upper arm bone (humerus)
  • upper leg bone (femur)

Doctors measure substances in the blood or urine to see if the disease is progressing, or getting worse. This includes measuring levels of:

  • hemoglobin
  • calcium
  • monoclonal protein (M-protein)
  • creatinine
  • beta-2-microglobulin

Expert review and references

  • Dispenzieri A, Lacy MQ, Kumar S . Multiple myeloma. Greer JP, Arber DA, Glader B, List AF, Means RT Jr, Paraskevas F, Rodgers GM, Foerster J, (eds.). Wintrobe's Clinical Hematology. 13th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2014: 98: 2046-2097.
  • Myeloma Canada. Multiple Myeloma Patient Handbook. Third ed. Kirkland, QC: Myeloma Canada; 2014.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.

1-888-939-3333 | cancer.ca | © 2024 Canadian Cancer Society