This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet (NIH Publication No. 08-1575) is about multiple myeloma,* a cancer that starts in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. It's also called plasma cell myeloma. Each year in the United States, about 20,000 people learn they have this disease.

This booklet tells about diagnosis, treatment options, and tests the doctor may give you during follow-up visits. It also tells about supportive care before, during, or after treatment. Learning about the medical care for multiple myeloma can help you take an active part in making choices about your care.

This booklet has lists of questions that you may want to ask your doctor. Many people find it helpful to take a list of questions to a doctor visit. To help remember what your doctor says, you can take notes or ask whether you may use a tape recorder. You may also want to have a family member or friend go with you when you talk with the doctor - to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.

For the latest information about multiple myeloma, please visit our Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/myeloma. Or, contact our Cancer Information Service. We can answer your questions about cancer. We can send you NCI booklets and fact sheets. Call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) or instant message us through the LiveHelp service at http://www.cancer.gov/help.