Cancer (carcinoma or sarcoma) - Essay Example

In some cases the myeloma cells collect in one bone and form a single tumor known as plasmacytoma. In other cases, myeloma cells collect in many bones resulting in the formation of bone tumors. This condition is known as multiple myeloma. (“Stanford Cancer Center”) There are some cases, though, when myeloma develops from a harmless condition called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance or MGUS. This condition is indicated by the presence of monoclonal proteins produced by abnormal plasma cells in the blood.

(“Mayo Clinic”) Generally, the balance between proliferation and programmed cell death is maintained by firmly regulating these processes to ensure that organs and tissues are well functioning. However, mutations in DNA that cause cancer disturb these systematized processes by affecting the programming and regulating processes. The normal balance between proliferation and cell death is apparently disrupted. (“Carcinogenesis”) Particularly for myeloma, the group of abnormal plasma cells multiplies, thus, raising the percentage of plasma cells to more than 10%.

Under normal conditions, plasma cells usually make up less than 5% of the bone marrow. (“Mayo Clinic”) Although the exact cause of myeloma is not known, doctors believe that this sickness begins with a single abnormal cell in the bone marrow. This aberrant cell would then multiply. It should be noted that abnormal cells do not mature and die in the same way as normal cells do. With this, they accumulate and eventually overwhelm the production of healthy cells. (“Mayo Clinic”) Myeloma cells can also populate the other bone marrow sites in the body since they can travel in low numbers in the blood.

If the growth and spread of plasma cells remain uncontrolled, bones and surrounding tissues can be damaged. (“Mayo Clinic”) Moreover, research proved that there is common abnormality in the DNA of abnormal plasma