Multiple myeloma is the cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow. These cells that are responsible for producing the antibodies for the body’s immunity stop functioning properly and instead produce an abnormal protein. This condition is known as multiple myeloma.
While it is common to find asymptomatic patients, there are a few signs and symptoms that start showing up when the cancer advances. Some of these signs and symptoms include bone problems, abnormal blood counts, and a number of infections. One needs to identify these for understanding the treatment options for multiple myeloma.
Here are some of the treatment options for multiple myeloma-
There are cases of solitary plasmacytomas that are mostly treated with radiation therapy. Surgery is also an option if the tumor is not in the bone. Doctors may advise the patients to undergo chemotherapy only at the occurrence of multiple myeloma.
A lot of patients with Stage 1 myeloma are many-a-times asymptomatic and do well for several years without any treatment. If a patient is diagnosed with this stage of myeloma, doctors prefer to observe the advancement rather than starting any therapies. The patients may be given medicines to care of any bone problems. The treatment options for multiple myeloma depend on the advancement of the cancer. This is checked by examining the plasma cells under a microscope.
Patients diagnosed with Stage 2 or higher advancement of cancer may start with therapy that only involves drugs. These drugs are prescribed depending on the health of the patient. A lot of patients’ kidneys get affected due to multiple myeloma and may need treatment for that too and sometimes even a transplant. These factors are also considered when prescribing the medicines. Depending on the patient’s symptoms, doctors may also advise for chemotherapy sessions.
Some patients may be required to undergo other supportive therapies like blood transfusions and/or stem cell transplant.
Depending on the cancer and the patient’s health, doctors may advise the patient to undergo consolidation treatment. Consolidation treatment is when the cycles of previous treatment are repeated to ensure that the signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma do not return.
Some of the factors that can put an individual at a risk of developing multiple myeloma are as follows:
Individuals over the age of 35 years are at a higher risk of getting multiple myeloma than those below it.
Women have lesser chances of developing this form of cancer than men.
Multiple myeloma is more common in African Americans than in white Americans. The reason for this is, however, unknown.
Individuals who have been exposed to radiation from an atomic bomb blast too have a higher risk of developing multiple myeloma.
Apart from these factors, family history and having other plasma cell diseases also increase the risk of developing multiple myeloma.
The treatment options for multiple myeloma depend on the patient’s health and the stage of cancer. Getting more than one opinion is always a good thing to do before opting for any treatment. A doctor is the best to seek treatment advice from.
Multiple myeloma is cancer in the plasma cells of the bone marrow. These cells are a kind of white blood cells that are the protein-making cells. These cells make the different antibodies for the body to stay immune. In multiple myeloma, these plasma cells start making only one type of abnormal protein instead of the different kinds of antibodies that are required by the body. The abnormal type of protein cells is referred to as monoclonal or M protein.
While any definite cause for multiple myeloma is indefinite, there are some factors that can trigger the production of abnormal protein by the plasma cells. Some of these factors include harmful radiation, toxic chemicals, certain viruses, and immunity disorders. Genetic factors and family history are also important factors.
It is common to find asymptomatic patients with multiple myeloma with absolutely no signs or symptoms. But as the illness advances, there are a number of symptoms that show up. Here is an overview of the signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma.
It is important to note that all or some of these signs and symptoms are not always indicative of multiple myeloma and may be due to other medical conditions as well. The best way to know is by seeing a doctor to rule out the possibility of multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is a certain type of blood cancer that develops in the plasma cells in our body. These plasma cells grow abnormally in the bone marrow and stop the functioning of the healthy blood cells when a person has multiple myeloma.
This kind of cancer affects more than just one part of the body and the patient may be asymptomatic in the early stages.
The staging and survival rate for multiple myeloma will differ from patient to patient depending on the health and the spread of cancer in the patient. The treatment, too, will depend on the patient and the advancement of cancer.
The first thing doctors do before considering any treatment is stage the multiple myeloma spread in a patient’s body. There are two systems to do so. This first is International Staging System and the second is Durie Salmon System.
Multiple myeloma is divided into four stages namely, smoldering stage, stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3.
The smoldering stage is the phase where the cancer does not show any active symptoms and is also known as the Durie Salmon Stage 1. Myeloma cells are usually not detected in the blood at this stage and they do not advance or harm the patient’s body.
During this stage, a small number of myeloma cells are detected in the blood and urine. Patients may also have a slightly lower than normal hemoglobin levels. X-rays of bones may show a small or no affected areas.
Multiple myeloma is indicated when there are a moderate number of myeloma cells present in the blood. The hemoglobin levels, too, are much lower than normal. Other lab indications include high calcium levels in the blood and an increased monoclonal immunoglobin. Several areas of bone damage are also noticed in the X-rays.
This stage of multiple myeloma is characterized by a high number of cancer cells in the blood. The hemoglobin levels drastically drop to less than 8.5 grams per deciliter and the levels of calcium in the blood are also extremely high. Several areas of bone damage can also be detected.
The survival rate for each of these stages has been calculated using the international staging system. These are derived by comparing the myeloma patient’s survival ratio to the survival ratio of people who do not have cancer. The average survival rate by stage is as follows:
These survival rates are calculated not merely from the time a person is diagnosed with multiple myeloma but from the time the treatment has been started. With the advancement in technology and in the field of medicines, there is a hope for a better survival rate in the future.
The above-mentioned survival rates are just an estimate. Visiting a doctor is the best way to understand your survival rate as it may differ based on your condition and the effectiveness of the treatments.
