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What Causes Multiple Myeloma?
What causes multiple myeloma? The short answer is that no one knows. The longer answer is that there are a number of factors that increase the risk of a MM diagnosis.
It can be argued that spending time trying to figure out what causes multiple myeloma is a waste of time. However, since I have MM and can identify possible causes multiple myeloma, then my son (and his children, etc. etc.) can take steps to reduce their risk of MM.
What are the known factors that increase the risk of multiple myeloma?
1. Age
- The risk of multiple myeloma increases significantly with age.
- Most people diagnosed are over 60, with the average age at diagnosis being around 70.
2. Gender
- Men are slightly more likely to develop multiple myeloma than women.
3. Race and Ethnicity
- African Americans have approximately twice the risk of developing multiple myeloma compared to white Americans.
- The reason for this disparity is not entirely understood.
4. Family History
- A family history of multiple myeloma or other plasma cell disorders may increase risk.
- Specific genetic mutations and predispositions may also play a role.
5. Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS)
- MGUS is a benign condition in which abnormal monoclonal protein is found in the blood.
- People with MGUS have an increased risk of progressing to multiple myeloma.
6. Immune System Disorders
- Certain autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus, may be associated with an increased risk.
7. Environmental and Occupational Exposures
- Long-term exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene, pesticides, and herbicides, may increase risk.
- Exposure to radiation (e.g., atomic bomb survivors) has also been linked to higher rates of multiple myeloma.
8. Obesity
- Being overweight or obese is associated with an increased risk of developing multiple myeloma.
9. Infections
- Chronic infections or conditions that overactivate the immune system may play a role in the development of multiple myeloma.
10. Gender and Hormonal Factors
- Some research suggests that hormonal factors may influence risk, though the mechanisms remain unclear.
11. Lifestyle Factors
- Smoking and a diet low in fruits and vegetables might contribute to a higher risk, although these associations are less well-established compared to other factors.
Changing age, gender and our race is difficult. But according to the two studies linked below, there are genetic risk factors that we can test for. If, for example, my son has the BCRA 1/2 gene, I would encourage him to undergo known lifestyle therapies that can reduce his risk of of MM such as
man hand holding his nutritional supplemets, healthy lifestyle background.
- anti-MM nutrition,
- anti-MM supplementation,
- loose some weight,
- lifestyle therapies such as sauna,
etc. While a genetic predisposition is not a guarantee to a MM diagnosis, it can increase the risk of getting MM.
Email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com if you have questions about what causes multiple myeloma.
Thank you,
David Emerson
- MM Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
What Causes Multiple Myeloma?
“Sometimes it seems much more is unknown about multiple myeloma than is known. Questions about what causes it and whether it’s an inherited disease remain unanswered, according to Jens Hillengass, MD, PhD, Chief of Myeloma at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“No one knows,” says Dr. Hillengass about the cause. “There have been reports that it is more common among people in certain occupations, like painters and farmers. A condition called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a precursor of the disease that has been more common in 9/11 firefighters…”
Multiple Myeloma Risk and Outcomes Are Associated with Pathogenic Germline Variants in DNA Repair Genes
Abstract-First-degree relatives of patients with multiple myeloma are at increased risk for the disease, but the contribution of pathogenic germline variants (PGV) in hereditary cancer genes to multiple myeloma risk and outcomes is not well characterized.
To address this, we analyzed germline exomes in two independent cohorts of 895 and 786 patients with multiple myeloma. PGVs were identified in 8.6% of the Discovery cohort and 11.5% of the Replication cohort, with a notable presence of high- or moderate-penetrance PGVs (associated with autosomal dominant cancer predisposition) in DNA repair genes (3.6% and 4.1%, respectively).
PGVs in BRCA1 (OR = 3.9, FDR < 0.01) and BRCA2 (OR = 7.0, FDR < 0.001) were significantly enriched in patients with multiple myeloma when compared with 134,187 healthy controls.
Five of the eight BRCA2 PGV carriers exhibited tumor-specific copy number loss in BRCA2, suggesting somatic loss of heterozygosity. PGVs associated with autosomal dominant cancer predisposition were associated with younger age at diagnosis, personal or familial cancer history, and longer progression-free survival after upfront high-dose melphalan and autologous stem-cell transplantation (P < 0.01).
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are associated with multiple myeloma
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are small DNA tumor viruses, and are associated with epithelial neoplasias. Although HPV are believed to be exclusively permissive in terminally differentiated squamous cells, we have previously identified HPV sequences in lymphoid tissues of five patients.
Because this result suggested that the range of the host virus cells could include cells of lymphoid origin, we used PCR and in situ hybridization to analyze nonepithelial tissues of patients with multiple myeloma from two institutions.
A statistically significant association was established between HPV and multiple myeloma (p < 0.001). This study supports the hypothesis that HPV can infect lymphoid cells…”