Why does multiple myeloma cause lesions in the brain and spine?
Multiple myeloma rarely causes lesions directly in the brain itself. When it does affect the central nervous system, it's very uncommon—occurring in less than 1% of cases.
However, myeloma commonly causes lesions in the spine and skull bones. Here's how:
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Why does multiple myeloma cause lesions in the brain and spine?
Multiple myeloma rarely causes lesions directly in the brain itself. When it does affect the central nervous system, it's very uncommon—occurring in less than 1% of cases.
However, myeloma commonly causes lesions in the spine and skull bones. Here's how:
In the spine:
- Cancer cells build up in the bone marrow and grow into the skeletal bone
- This creates soft spots called osteolytic lesions that weaken the vertebrae
- These lesions can cause the spine to collapse, leading to compression of the spinal cord
- The weakened bones may fracture and press on spinal nerves
In the skull:
- Myeloma frequently spreads to skull bones, creating lesions there
- However, these skull lesions typically don't affect the brain tissue directly
The bone damage happens because abnormal plasma cells crowd out healthy bone cells and prevent normal bone formation. This creates areas of weakness and damage throughout the skeletal system, with the spine being one of the most commonly affected areas.
If you experience sudden severe back pain, numbness, or leg weakness, seek immediate medical attention as this could indicate spinal cord compression—a medical emergency.
February 13
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