Plasma cells play a vital role in helping your body’s immune system fight infections. But what if something goes wrong with these warrior white blood cells?
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that occurs when cancerous plasma cells — called myeloma cells — multiply uncontrollably and build up in the bone marrow, the soft, porous tissue in the center of your bones.
Myeloma cells produce antibodies called monoclonal proteins or M proteins. These M proteins are useless to the body and can build up and crowd out healthy immune cells, weakening the immune system and the ability to combat illnesses.
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