(Daily Mail) James McCaffrey, an American actor best known for voicing video game character Max Payne, has died following his battle with blood cancer.
The 65-year-old star was reportedly diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type which arises from plasma cells within bone marrow — the ‘spongy’ substance lurking within bones.
Charities say there are around 6,000 new cases of myeloma per year in the UK, with more than 35,000 cases diagnosed annually in the US.
Here, we break down the warning signs of multiple myeloma.
Myeloma can cause a wide range of symptoms from fractures and bone pain to tiredness
James McCaffrey, an American actor best known for voicing the video game character Max Payne, has died; seen in 2012
Bone pain
Just like other types of cancer, multiple myeloma may not cause any symptoms in the earliest stages of the disease.
In fact, doctors sometimes only suspect a patient to have the disease following an abnormal blood or urine test, the NHS says.
But eventually the cancer can cause a wide range of problems, including persistent bone pain.
Dull aches are typically felt in the back, ribs or hips.
The pain is caused by a large number of plasma cells collecting in one area, which can damage the bones and even cause fractures, Cancer Research UK says.
In some cases affecting the spine, it can cause pins and needles and numbness.
Tiredness
Although it might sound like a cold, feeling extremely tired, weak and breathless is another potential warning sign of myeloma.
Fatigue is caused by a lack of red blood cells.
Just like with bone pain, it happens because of the exceptional build-up of plasma cells in the bone marrow, effectively crowding out the ‘normal’ red cells.
Extreme thirst
Constantly feeling thirsty could also be a sign of the disease.
As well as crowding out ‘normal’ blood cells, the build-up of abnormal plasma cells can directly damage the bones.
When bones get damaged, they release calcium into the blood — known medically as hypercalcemia.
Symptoms of this include feeling thirsty, sick, tired, stomach pains and needing to pee frequently, according to the NHS.
Additionally, it can cause constipation and confusion and, if it is not treated, lead to extreme drowsiness.
Blurred vision
On top of all the above, never-ending headaches, dizziness and blurred vision might all be subtle signs of multiple myeloma.
The NHS says this trifecta is down to the cancerous cells producing excess proteins that cause blood to thicken, which is known as hyperviscosity.
When the blood thickens too much it is unable to flow freely through the body’s blood vessels, which can block the very thin channels in the brain and trigger the symptoms.
Bruising and unusual bleeding
Warning signs of myeloma can also include strange bruises and unusual bleeding, such as nose bleeds, bleeding gums and even heavy periods.
