Multiple myeloma (from myelo-, bone marrow), also known as MM, myeloma, plasma cell myeloma, or as Kahler's disease (after Otto Kahler) is a cancer of the white blood cells known as plasma cells, which produce antibodies.
These plasma cells, or B cells, are part of the immune system, formed in bone marrow, and numerous in lymphatics. Myeloma is incurable, but remissions may be induced with steroids, chemotherapy, thalidomide and stem cell transplants.
There were 15,270 cases diagnosed and 11,070 deaths in the United States in 2004, and an incidence of 4/100,000 worldwide. Median survival is 50–55 months. Chromosome diagnosis can separate patients into more or less favorable prognoses.
Myeloma is part of the broad group of diseases called hematological malignancies.