Different Kinds of Multiple Myeloma
- Multiple myeloma cells are blood cells that have undergone genetic mutations. These mutations can occur different ways, and one of the most important distinctions is hyperdiploid cells vs. hypodiploid cells.
- Hyperdiploid cells have too many chromosomes, while hypodiploid cells have too few chromosomes. This difference can help doctors predict how aggressively an individual’s cancer will develop, and which medications that individual might respond best to.
- This chromosomal information is distinct from the kinds of chromosomes that a person will pass down to their children, because this information only has to do with the cancerous multiple myeloma cells.
The DNA of a patient’s multiple myeloma cells can influence their doctor’s approach to treatment, according to Dr. Matthew Ulrickson of Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, Arizona, who spoke with SurvivorNet about the importance of testing.
“The chromosomes or the DNA contained within multiple myeloma cells is important for an individual’s response to treatment, as well as some treatment options,” he said.
What Do Hyperdiploid and Hypodiploid Mean?
Within multiple myeloma cells, one of the most important distinctions is hyperdiploid vs. hypodiploid cells. Multiple myeloma cells go through genetic mutations that cause them to behave differently than healthy cells.
RELATED: Understanding the Phases of Multiple Myeloma
In some cases, this means that multiple myeloma cells will have too many chromosomes, and in some cases, they will have too few chromosomes. This difference is what distinguishes hyperdiploid cells from hypodiploid cells:
- Hyperdiploid – too many chromosomes
- Hypodiploid – too few chromosomes
What Can This Tell Us?
“Which chromosomes are missing or added are important for classifying multiple myeloma as either high risk or standard risk,” said Dr. Ulrickson. Different changes can occur in different parts of the chromosomes, so analyzing multiple myeloma cells at this level can help assess a patient’s risk level and predict which therapies will best assist them.
In many cases, multiple myeloma medications are known to be more active in patients with certain chromosomal changes, so this information can be important for choosing a treatment path.
RELATED: Developing a Multiple Myeloma Treatment Plan
“Whether or not this changes recommendations for your first line of therapy is something you should individually talk about with your physician.”
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Joe Kerwin is a writer and researcher at SurvivorNet, based in New York City. Read More
Different Kinds of Multiple Myeloma
- Multiple myeloma cells are blood cells that have undergone genetic mutations. These mutations can occur different ways, and one of the most important distinctions is hyperdiploid cells vs. hypodiploid cells.
- Hyperdiploid cells have too many chromosomes, while hypodiploid cells have too few chromosomes. This difference can help doctors predict how aggressively an individual’s cancer will develop, and which medications that individual might respond best to.
- This chromosomal information is distinct from the kinds of chromosomes that a person will pass down to their children, because this information only has to do with the cancerous multiple myeloma cells.
The DNA of a patient’s multiple myeloma cells can influence their doctor’s approach to treatment, according to
Dr. Matthew Ulrickson of Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, Arizona, who spoke with SurvivorNet about the importance of testing.
“The chromosomes or the DNA contained within multiple myeloma cells is important for an individual’s response to treatment, as well as some treatment options,” he said.
What Do Hyperdiploid and Hypodiploid Mean?
Read More Within multiple myeloma cells, one of the most important distinctions is hyperdiploid vs. hypodiploid cells. Multiple myeloma cells go through genetic mutations that cause them to behave differently than healthy cells.
RELATED: Understanding the Phases of Multiple Myeloma
In some cases, this means that multiple myeloma cells will have too many chromosomes, and in some cases, they will have too few chromosomes. This difference is what distinguishes hyperdiploid cells from hypodiploid cells:
- Hyperdiploid – too many chromosomes
- Hypodiploid – too few chromosomes
What Can This Tell Us?
“Which chromosomes are missing or added are important for classifying multiple myeloma as either high risk or standard risk,” said Dr. Ulrickson. Different changes can occur in different parts of the chromosomes, so analyzing multiple myeloma cells at this level can help assess a patient’s risk level and predict which therapies will best assist them.
In many cases, multiple myeloma medications are known to be more active in patients with certain chromosomal changes, so this information can be important for choosing a treatment path.
RELATED: Developing a Multiple Myeloma Treatment Plan
“Whether or not this changes recommendations for your first line of therapy is something you should individually talk about with your physician.”
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Joe Kerwin is a writer and researcher at SurvivorNet, based in New York City. Read More
