top of page

Myeloma Glossary by Polygon Health

What is Patient Connect? The Multiple Myeloma Patient Connect platform, powered by Polygon Health, is designed to bring together patients and caregivers on similar health journeys, offering valuable resources based on their personal stories.

Multiple Myeloma Glossary.
Abecma
Abecma is a CAR T-cell therapy used for treating multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. It involves using a patient's own T cells, which are collected and genetically modified to target the BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen) protein found on myeloma cells. Once reintroduced into the patient's body, these engineered T cells can recognize and kill the cancer cells.
Active multiple myeloma
Active multiple myeloma refers to a stage of the disease where symptoms and complications are present due to the proliferation of malignant plasma cells. Unlike smoldering or asymptomatic myeloma, where patients may not exhibit symptoms.
Amyloidosis
Amyloidosis is a rare condition where abnormal proteins, known as amyloids, build up in organs and tissues, disrupting their normal function. In the context of multiple myeloma, amyloidosis often occurs when light chains produced by abnormal plasma cells misfold and accumulate in organs such as the kidneys, heart, liver, or nerves. 
B cell
B cells are a type of white blood cell that play a critical role in the immune system by producing antibodies (immunoglobulins) to fight infections. These cells originate in the bone marrow and mature into plasma cells, which are responsible for making antibodies that help protect the body from pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
Blood cancer
Blood cancer is a rare group of cancers that affect blood cells, usually starting in the bone marrow where blood is produced. The most common types include leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. These cancers disrupt normal blood cell development, leading to the rapid growth of abnormal cells, impacting the immune system and overall health.
 
Carvykti
Carvykti is another CAR T-cell therapy used for treating relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Similar to Abecma, it involves modifying a patient's own T cells to target the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) on the surface of myeloma cells. The modified T cells are infused back into the patient to help the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells.
Hypercalcemia
Hypercalcemia is a condition characterized by abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood, and it is a common complication in multiple myeloma patients. In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells can stimulate the breakdown of bone tissue, releasing excess calcium into the bloodstream.
ICD-10 Code
We're diving into the ICD-10 code for Multiple Myeloma, C90.0, a shorthand that might seem simple but carries weight in every medical record, research study, and insurance claim.
Immunoglobulins
(also known as antibodies) are proteins produced by plasma cells in the immune system that help the body fight infections. They bind to harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses, marking them for destruction by other immune cells. There are five main types of immunoglobulins: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE.
Induction therapy
Usually, this is the initial treatment for people first diagnosed with multiple myeloma and involves the use of anti-myeloma drugs prior to high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. The purpose is to reduce the tumor burden, improving the effectiveness of later treatments.
Kappa/Lambda Ratio
The kappa/lambda ratio is a crucial diagnostic marker in multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders. It measures the ratio of two types of free light chains, kappa and lambda, in the blood. In healthy individuals, plasma cells produce a balanced amount of kappa and lambda light chains, maintaining a normal ratio (typically between 0.26 and 1.65).
 
Light Chains
Light chains are produced by plasma cells in the immune system. In multiple myeloma, these light chains can be produced in excess, leading to an imbalance that can cause damage to the kidneys and other organs. There are two types of light chains: kappa and lambda, and an overproduction of either can be a sign of multiple myeloma or other related disorders.
M spike
The M spike (or monoclonal spike) refers to a sharp peak seen in the results of a specific blood test called serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP). This test measures the different types of proteins in the blood, and the M spike indicates the presence of a high level of abnormal monoclonal protein (also called M protein), produced by malignant plasma cells in multiple myeloma
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a rare cancer that starts in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell found in the bone marrow. In multiple myeloma, these plasma cells grow abnormally, affecting the production of healthy blood cells and weakening the immune system. This can lead to symptoms like bone pain, fatigue, frequent infections, and kidney problems.
Multiple Myeloma Tests
Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow. Early detection and diagnosis often involve a series of blood tests that help identify abnormal levels of proteins, antibodies, and other markers indicative of the disease.
Multiple Myeloma Blood Test
Multiple myeloma tests are used to diagnose and monitor the disease, as well as to evaluate treatment response. Some of the key tests to help diagnose multiple myeloma include blood tests, urine tests, bone marrow biopsy, imaging tests, and genetic testing. 
Myeloma Cell
A myeloma cell is an abnormal plasma cell found in the bone marrow that multiplies uncontrollably in people with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. These cancerous cells crowd out healthy blood cells, disrupt normal immune function, and can lead to bone damage, anemia, and kidney problems. The uncontrolled growth of myeloma cells is what drives the symptoms and progression of the disease, making early detection and treatment critical for managing multiple myeloma.
Stem Cell Transplant
A stem cell transplant (SCT) is a medical procedure used to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy stem cells. It’s commonly used to treat blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. The procedure involves high-dose chemotherapy to destroy the diseased cells, followed by an infusion of healthy stem cells to restore normal blood cell production. Stem cell transplants can help rebuild the immune system and improve long-term survival rates for patients with certain types of cancer.
 
Revlimid® (lenalidomide)
Revlimid® (lenalidomide) is an oral medication used to treat multiple myeloma and certain other blood cancers. It works by boosting the immune system to help destroy cancer cells, slowing down the growth of abnormal cells, and inhibiting blood vessel formation in tumors. Revlimid is often used in combination with other treatments, such as dexamethasone or stem cell transplant, to improve patient outcomes. 
Velcade® (also known as bortezomib)
Velcade® (bortezomib) is a targeted therapy used to treat multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. It works by inhibiting proteasomes, which are enzyme complexes that break down proteins in cells. By blocking proteasomes, Velcade disrupts cancer cell function, leading to cell death, especially in rapidly growing cancer cells.
White blood cell (WBC)
White blood cells (WBCs), also known as leukocytes, are a vital part of the immune system that help protect the body against infections and foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. There are several types of white blood cells, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils, each playing a different role in immune defense. 
bottom of page