What is the Difference Between Multiple Myeloma and POEMS Syndrome

Multiple Myeloma and POEMS Syndrome are two rare disorders involving abnormal plasma cells. Both conditions require careful diagnosis and treatment for better patient outcomes.

The key difference between multiple myeloma and POEMS syndrome is their nature and outcome. Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, whereas POEMS syndrome is a collection of symptoms arising from abnormal plasma cells and a high amount of M-protein. However, POEMS syndrome usually has a better survival rate than multiple myeloma.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Multiple Myeloma
3. What is POEMS Syndrome
4. Similarities – Multiple Myeloma and POEMS Syndrome
5. Multiple Myeloma vs POEMS Syndrome in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Multiple Myeloma vs POEMS Syndrome
7. FAQ – Multiple Myeloma and POEMS Syndrome

What is Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer. It occurs when healthy plasma cells become abnormal cells that multiply and produce abnormal antibodies. Multiple myeloma affects about 7 people out of 100,000 people each year. Multiple myeloma can be caused by genetic mutations, environmental factors (exposure to radiation or chemicals in pesticides, fertilizer, etc.), inflammatory conditions, and obesity. The symptoms of multiple myeloma may include weakness in arms and legs, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, not having an appetite, unexplained weight loss, unexplained fever, bruising or bleeding more easily, and feeling confused.

Multiple myeloma can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, complete blood count, blood chemistry test, quantitative immunoglobulin test, electrophoresis, urine test, X-ray, CT scan, MRI, PET scan, and bone marrow biopsies. Furthermore, treatment options for multiple myeloma may include pain medications, antibiotics, steroids, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplant.

What is POEMS Syndrome?

POEMS stands for polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes. POEMS syndrome is a rare blood disorder that can impact multiple body systems. It is a collection of symptoms resulting from abnormal plasma cells and too much M-protein. Having too many abnormal plasma cells and too much M-protein can damage the nerves and organs, leading to POEMS syndrome. The symptoms of this condition may include polyneuropathy, enlarged liver, spleen, and lymph nodes, problems with regulating blood sugar, thyroid problems, Addison’s disease, tumors in the blood, and skin changes. Researchers have discovered that a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may play a role in getting POEMS syndrome.

POEMS syndrome can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, blood and urine test, X-ray, CT scan, bone marrow biopsy, and electromyogram (EMG). Furthermore, treatment options for POEMS syndrome may include steroids, diuretics, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, autologous stem cell transplant, and physical therapy.

Similarities Between Multiple Myeloma and POEMS Syndrome

1. Multiple myeloma and POEMS are two associated medical conditions.
2. Both may cause similar symptoms, such as swelling in arms or legs, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, fever, etc.
3. Both can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, blood test, urine test, and imaging tests.
4. They can be treated through specific medications and therapies.

Difference Between Multiple Myeloma and POEMS Syndrome

Definition

1. Multiple myeloma occurs when healthy plasma cells become abnormal cells, multiply, and produce abnormal antibodies.
2. POEMS syndrome is a rare blood disorder that can impact multiple body systems.

Survival Rate

1. Multiple myeloma has a lower survival rate.
2. POEMS syndrome has a better survival rate.

Causes

1. Multiple myeloma is caused by genetic mutations, environmental factors (exposure to radiation or chemicals in pesticides, fertilizer, or Agent Orange), an inflammatory condition, and obesity.
2. POEMS syndrome is caused by a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may play a role in getting POEMS syndrome.

Signs and Symptoms

1. Symptoms of multiple myeloma include weakness in arms and legs, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, not having an appetite, unexplained weight loss, unexplained fever, bruising or bleeding more easily, and confusion.
2. Symptoms of POEMS syndrome include polyneuropathy, enlarged liver, spleen, and lymph nodes, problems with regulating blood sugar, thyroid problems, Addison’s disease, tumors in the blood, and skin changes.

Diagnosis

1. Multiple myeloma can diagnosed by medical history, physical examination, complete blood count, blood chemistry test, quantitative immunoglobulin test, electrophoresis, urine test, X-ray, CT scan, MRI, PET scan, and bone marrow biopsies.
2. POEMS syndrome can diagnosed by medical history, physical examination, blood and urine test, X-ray, CT scan, bone marrow biopsy, and electromyogram (EMG).

Treatment

1. Treatment options for multiple myeloma include pain medications, antibiotics, steroids, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplant.
2. Treatment options for POEMS syndrome include steroids, diuretics, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, autologous stem cell transplant, and physical therapy.

The infographic below presents the differences between multiple myeloma and POEMS syndrome in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Multiple Myeloma vs POEMS Syndrome

Multiple myeloma and POEMS are two associated medical conditions. Both these conditions may share some similar symptoms such as swelling in arms or legs, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, fever, etc. However, multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects the plasma cells while POEMS syndrome is a rare condition resulting from abnormal plasma cells and too much M-protein. Thus, this summarizes the difference between multiple myeloma and POEMS syndrome.

FAQ: Multiple Myeloma and POEMS Syndrome

1. What is the life expectancy with multiple myeloma?

• In multiple myeloma, 78% of people who have single plasmacytoma are alive five years after diagnosis. The overall five-year survival rate for people with multiple myeloma ranges from 40% to 82%.

2. What are the first warning signs of multiple myeloma?

• Weakness in arms and legs, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting, not having an appetite, unexplained weight loss, unexplained fever, bruising or bleeding more easily, and feeling confused are warning signs of multiple myeloma.

3. Is multiple myeloma a serious cancer?

• Multiple myeloma, also known as Kahler’s disease, is a rare blood cancer that affects the bone marrow and the body’s blood-forming system and can lead to kidney problems. Therefore, it has a lower survival rate.

4. What is the age of onset for POEMS syndrome?

• The age at which POEMS syndrome typically starts varies between genders. On average, men tend to develop symptoms around 48 years old, while women experience onset around 59 years old. These figures are based on research findings and represent the mean patient age at onset for the syndrome.

5. Is POEMS syndrome a form of cancer?

• POEMS syndrome is not a cancer. It is a distinct blood disorder separate from multiple myeloma, a plasma cell cancer affecting bone marrow. POEMS mainly causes polyneuropathy and other organ damage rather than tumors.

Reference:

1. “Multiple Myeloma: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment.” WebMD.
2. “Poems Syndrome.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Multiple myeloma peripheral blood morphology – rouleaux, background staining and plasma cell” By SpicyMilkBoy – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Plasma Cells” By Department of Pathology, Calicut Medical College – Calicut Medical College (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia