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Can You Tell Us About CRAB Symptoms And How These Relate To MM?

A MyMyelomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
Mount Joy, PA
July 10
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A MyMyelomaTeam Member

I did not have all the symptoms that the CRAB acronym stands for, but my oncologist uses it to watch for signs of reoccurrence of MM. For those who don't know:

CRAB is an acronym that doctors use to describe the most common signs of multiple myeloma:

C: Calcium levels in the blood are elevated
R: Renal failure or kidney damage
A: Anemia, or low red blood cell count
B: Bone damage, such as fractures or weakened bones

July 11
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Jessica he felt flu like and also had pneumonia three times. He had a lot of pain in his back the third time he had pneumonia. He was in ICU for 9 days.

July 12
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

A bone marrow biopsy confirmed an MM diagnosis with me. I had read, though, that anemia alone indicated MM. I was anemic, and sure enough, the biopsy revealed 56% of my bone marrow was occupied by malignant plasma cells.

July 11
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Jessica my husband did not have all of them. Some people may have several renal problems. My husband was always getting sick, pneumonia three times in under a year.

July 10
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Certainly! CRAB symptoms are key indicators used to diagnose multiple myeloma (MM) and differentiate it from related conditions like monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). Here's a detailed breakdown:

CRAB Symptoms
1. C - High Calcium Levels (Hypercalcemia)
- Show Full Answer

Certainly! CRAB symptoms are key indicators used to diagnose multiple myeloma (MM) and differentiate it from related conditions like monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). Here's a detailed breakdown:

CRAB Symptoms:
1. C - High Calcium Levels (Hypercalcemia)
- Elevated calcium levels in the blood can cause various symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, constipation, and confusion.

2. R - Renal (Kidney) Damage
- Myeloma can lead to kidney impairment, which may manifest as reduced kidney function or kidney failure.

3. A - Anemia
- This refers to a low red blood cell count, which can cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.

4. B - Bone Lesions
- Myeloma cells growing in the bone marrow can cause bone damage, leading to pain, fractures, and osteoporosis.

Relation to Multiple Myeloma:
- Diagnosis: The presence of CRAB symptoms helps doctors diagnose multiple myeloma. Patients with MGUS or SMM do not exhibit these symptoms. If they develop CRAB symptoms, it indicates progression to multiple myeloma.
- Monitoring: CRAB criteria are also used to monitor for relapse in patients who have been treated for multiple myeloma. Changes in these symptoms can signal a return of the disease.

Additional Information:
- Bone Marrow: Multiple myeloma is a bone marrow illness where cancer cells grow within the marrow, affecting blood cell production and bone integrity.
- Relapse: Doctors use CRAB criteria to detect relapse by looking for increased calcium levels, kidney impairment, anemia, and bone disease.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the articles on MyMyelomaTeam:
- [Multiple Myeloma: Bone Lesions, Damage, and Pain](https://www.mymyelomateam.com/resources/multipl...)
- [Understanding Hypercalcemia and Multiple Myeloma](https://www.mymyelomateam.com/resources/underst...)
- [What Is the Relapse Rate for Multiple Myeloma?](https://www.mymyelomateam.com/resources/relapse...)

I hope this helps!

July 10

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