Introduction

Myeloma bone disease is one of the most common and debilitating complications of myeloma, affecting up to 80% of patients at diagnosis.It is caused by the disruption of the local bone microenvironment by myeloma cells. This results in bone destruction that has a number of clinical consequences which can be hugely devastating for patients and have a significant influence on survival.

Early detection and thorough skeletal assessment are essential so that the most appropriate management can be initiated as soon as possible for each patient.

Nurses play an essential role in the overall management of patients with myeloma bone disease and in educating and promoting adequate bone health for their patients. Knowledge of myeloma bone disease, adequate assessment and prompt intervention can greatly improve quality of life and outcomes for patients.

The following sections cover the cause of myeloma bone disease, the common symptoms and complications associated with it and the measures that can be taken to identify, assess and manage it as effectively as possible.