Glossary
Smoldering myeloma
(SMOLE-der-ing MY-eh-LOH-muh)
A very slow-growing type of myeloma in which abnormal plasma cells (a type of white blood cell) make too much of a single type of monoclonal antibody (a protein). This protein builds up in the blood or is passed in the urine. Patients with smoldering myeloma usually have no symptoms, but need to be checked often for signs of progression to fully developed multiple myeloma.
Definition from the National Cancer Institute’s NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms.