When Eric Dillon began experiencing shoulder pain in 2022, he initially dismissed it as a strained rotator cuff. After visiting an orthopedic doctor and undergoing physical therapy, the pain subsided temporarily. However, in May 2024, while doing yard work, Dillon felt a sudden burst of intense pain. An MRI revealed concerning results, leading to a referral to an oncologist. Upon meeting with the specialist, Dillon was shocked to learn he had multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.
Tests confirmed the diagnosis, and Dillon was quickly referred to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Doctors there developed a treatment plan, revealing that his shoulder pain had been an early warning sign of the disease.
What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects plasma cells, according to Dr. Hearn Cho, an oncologist and chief medical officer of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. The cancerous cells can impair normal blood formation, leading to anemia, kidney damage, and elevated calcium levels. The disease can also damage bones, which was the cause of Dillon's shoulder pain. Dr. Cho noted that multiple myeloma is often misdiagnosed as an injury, as back pain is a common symptom.
Dillon's case highlights the importance of persistent medical evaluation when symptoms do not resolve as expected.