Word parts
What it means
A blood cancer in which abnormal plasma cells fill the bone marrowbone MAIR-ohThe soft, spongy tissue inside bones that makes blood cells.Full entry and make large amounts of a useless antibody protein. The cancer cells break down bone, crowd out normal blood cells and can damage the kidneys. Common problems are bone pain and fractures, a high blood calcium, anemia, infections and kidney failure. It is mostly a disease of older adults.
For the nurse
Move and turn these clients gently because bones break easily. Encourage fluids to protect the kidneys, and watch the calcium level and signs of infection.
At a glance
| Spanish | mieloma múltiple |
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Related terms
bone marrow
The soft, spongy tissue inside bones that makes blood cells.
oncology
The branch of medicine that deals with cancer.
marrow
The soft tissue inside bones; red marrow makes blood cells and yellow marrow stores fat.
staging
Working out how large a cancer is and how far it has spread in the body.