Symptom 6. Anemia: The Silent Blood Bandit
Anemia in plasmacytoma patients isn’t your average fatigue-induced pallor. There’s a complex biology behind it. At its core, anemia denotes a decreased number of red blood cells. But why does a bone tumor affect blood cells? The answer lies deep within our bones.
Bone marrow is a bustling factory of blood cell production. When plasmacytoma sets foot here, this production gets affected. Instead of churning out robust red blood cells, the marrow’s capacity dwindles, resulting in anemia. This isn’t just tiredness after a day’s work; it’s a fatigue stemming from the cellular level.
But anemia isn’t just about fatigue. It’s accompanied by a host of other symptoms. Some individuals report shortness of breath, while others might experience a racing heart. It’s as if the body is perennially running a marathon, even while at rest. (6)
