Multiple Myeloma at Fred Hutch Cancer Center

Multiple myeloma is a bone marrow cancer. It can affect the bones and kidneys, as well as levels of healthy blood cells. It happens when cancerous plasma cells (white blood cells that make antibodies) build up in the marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. 

Multiple myeloma may not cause any symptoms at first. Usually, it is only suspected after a routine blood test shows an abnormality. 

Physicians use the Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) to stage multiple myeloma, which is different than systems used to stage other types of cancer. Multiple myeloma is also divided into subtypes, and each one acts differently. Learn more about each stage and subtype, and why it matters in treatment planning. 

To find out if a patient has multiple myeloma, a physician will order several tests. Because the disease is complex and because there usually are no noticeable symptoms at first, knowing the results of these tests is critical to properly diagnose multiple myeloma.

Your treatment plan will depend on the type of multiple myeloma you have. You are unique, and your care team will design a treatment plan specifically for — and with — you. At Fred Hutch, physicians with knowledge and experience in your cancer type will plan and provide your care. 

At Fred Hutch, a team of dedicated people, including experts in multiple myeloma, surround you and your family to give you the highest level of care and support. Meet your multiple myeloma care team who put you, the patient, at the center of everything they do.

Fred Hutch is a national leader in cancer research, with teams of physicians and scientists working to test new treatments or new ways to use current treatments. Our physicians and scientists pioneered the blood and marrow transplant, which is now one of the most important types of multiple myeloma treatment.

Find expert multiple myeloma care at Fred Hutch locations. Explore treatment options backed by compassionate, world-class oncology teams.