Main clinical and laboratory characteristics of multiple myeloma (MM)

A retrospective investigation was carried out during 1991-96 year period on 44 MM patients (27 men and 17 women of the mean age of 52.4 ranged 20-70, admitted to Bach Mai Hospital) diagnosed with R.A. Kyle's critera to review clinic symtoms and laboratory findings. The earliest signes were bone pain (72.3%) including low back pain (65.9%). At advanced stage, bone pain and tenderness (86.4%), anemia (70.5%), weakness of lower limbs (38.6), renal failure (29.5%), increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (94.4%), hypercalcemia (32.2%), hyperproteinemia (60.7%), proteiuria (61.4%), hypergammaglobulinemia (78.1%), and hyperplasmocytogenesis (92.3%) were reported. 7/12 cases of immunoelectrophoresis had IgG myeloma. Demineralization and compressed vertebral fractures were found in 74.1% of patients. Other common bone lesions were observed radiographiccally in ribs (75%) and skull (72.7%)

X-ray image of bone lesion in the multiple myleoma

We detected skeletal lesions on standard radiographies of 44 patients with multiple myeloma treated in B¹ch Mai Hospital during the period from multiple osteolytic lesions were very frequent abnormalities at all sites. Osteopenia was most common, especially in spine (85.1%). Demineralization with compressed cerebral fractures was found in 74.1% of patients. Other common bone lesions were radiographically observed in ribs (75%), skull (72.7%) and pelvis (60%).