Cancer that starts in the marrow of a person’s bones is not very common. Cancer that has spread to the bone marrow from other areas of the body is the more common of the two. However, the signs and symptoms are often very similar between both types, whether it has spread from another area or began in the actual bone marrow. When it begins in the marrow, it is actually growing inside the bones. Because the primary function of bone marrow is to create new blood cells, a broad range of symptoms are associated with this type of cancer.
In addition, there are numerous types of this specific cancer. One of the rarest types is multiple myeloma. This typically affects plasma cells, which are the white blood cells that help the immune system fight diseases and infections. When multiple myeloma is present, cancerous plasma cells essentially eat up healthy, normal ones and weaken or destroy the person’s bones in the process.
Certain non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas are also considered bone marrow cancers. They most commonly begin in the lymph glands, but it is possible for this type of cancer to first appear in the bone marrow as well. This kind of bone marrow cancer primarily attacks white blood cells.
1. Back Pain
Although there are hundreds of reasons for back pain, this symptom is almost always seen with bone marrow cancers. Every patient does not experience severe back pain, but most experience at least some pain or discomfort in their vertebrae. This may manifest in the lower back, neck, or essentially any area in between. In some cases, a person feels pain in the entire spine, while other individuals may only experience this symptom in one or two specific areas. This largely depends on where the largest presence of abnormal cells are found, the severity of the cancer’s progression and whether or not it spread from another area or the bone marrow was the initial site of the disease.
Some patients describe shooting pain, while others develop a dull ache that may worsen over time. If cancer has spread to an advanced stage, the pain may become debilitating. It is also not uncommon for a person to feel back pain when moving his or her legs. This symptom is particularly common among patients suffering from multiple myeloma. In approximately 50 percent of cases, back pain accompanied by fatigue is the first symptom to manifest among bone marrow cancer sufferers.
2. Anemia
Anemia is a disorder of the blood that develops when a person does not have normal levels of hemoglobin or red blood cells in his or her bloodstream. Hemoglobin is a primary component of red blood cells and has the vital function of binding to oxygen for the purpose of carrying it to the brain and other organs. Those with not enough red blood cells or whose red blood cells are abnormal likely have oxygen deprived organs and low iron levels. Although anemia is a blood condition in and of itself and is not especially uncommon, it is also a symptom of bone marrow cancer. This is because the cancer cells are destroying or changing the person’s red blood cells, thus leading to anemia.
3. Fatigue
Fatigue is a very common symptom associated with bone marrow cancer. It is typically a linear symptom as well, meaning its severity progresses as the cancer worsens. For example, a person with stage I bone marrow cancer may only be slightly fatigued, but at stage IV, this symptom may be debilitating. In addition to pain, fatigue is usually an early sign of bone marrow cancer, but is very frequently attributed to other causes, such as stress, minor illnesses, lack of sleep or a poor diet. In some cases, chronic pain can make a person feel even more fatigued, as each symptom can exacerbate the other.
4. Loss of Appetite
Cancer of all types can lead to a loss of appetite. There is a vast array of reasons for this symptom, the most common of which is a change in the way the person’s metabolism works. The metabolism is simply the human body’s process of turning food into energy. In cases of advanced cancer, an enlarged spleen may create a feeling of fullness, as this organ pushes on the stomach when it is swollen. Another factor that may create a full feeling is the buildup of fluid in the abdomen, referred to as ascites. Although this symptom typically manifests in the later stages of the disease, it may also occur in earlier stages.
5. Constipation
Gastrointestinal complications, such as constipation, are common problems for all types of cancer patients. The growth and spread of the disease and many of its treatments can contribute to this symptom. In numerous cases, constipation is secondary to other symptoms, such as fatigue and lack of appetite, both of which can lead to consuming too little food and fluids, which are necessary for normal bowel function. The previously mentioned enlarged spleen can also influence the way fecal matter moves through the small and large intestine. However, constipation is rarely an early sign of bone marrow cancer or most other malignancies.
6. Hypercalcemia
Hypercalcemia is increased levels of blood calcium. Cancer in the bones or bone marrow commonly lead to hypercalcemia. One primary function of bone growth and the production of osteophytes–the cells responsible for forming new bone–is the maintenance of blood calcium levels. Calcium is required for many other bodily processes as well, including blood clotting, nerve function and the contraction of muscles. When a malignancy is present in the bone marrow, an imbalance exists between bone resorption and bone formation, ultimately leading to the release of excess calcium levels in the blood. This is a symptom that is only confirmed by a blood test, but not one a patient typically notices in daily life.
7. Kidney Damage
Kidney damage is commonly seen with certain types of bone marrow cancers, particularly multiple myeloma. This is because the growth of the cancerous cells interferes with the production of healthy plasma cells. This leads to numerous health complications, including kidney damage or the failure of this organ. Kidney failure in bone marrow cancer patients is a complex process involving various mechanisms. Ultimately, these complicated mechanisms cause abnormal proteins to travel through the bloodstream, eventually ending up in the kidneys, where they are deposited. From there, they alter filtering properties or obstruct the kidney tubules. Elevated calcium levels can also lead to the formation of kidney crystals, which cause damage as well .
8. Weight Loss
Virtually all cancers are associated with weight loss, either at the onset of the illness or when it has reached an advanced stage. It is frequently the first noticeable sign of the disease, although in the case of bone marrow cancers it may manifest later. Up to 40 percent of individuals report weight loss for which no identifiable reason exists before being diagnosed with cancer. As many as 80 out of 100 individuals with advanced cancer experience some amount of weight loss and cachexia. The later is a term that refers to the muscle wasting associated with malignancies. Unexplained weight loss and any other possible signs of bone marrow cancer should be immediately evaluated by a health care practitioner.
