Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for multiple myeloma

by Arturo Wintheiser Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Medication

Multiple myeloma can also be treated using drugs, which can be given by mouth or directly into the bloodstream. These systemic therapies can reach cancer cells anywhere in the body. Drug Therapy for Multiple Myeloma. Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Myeloma. CAR T-cell Therapy for Multiple Myeloma.

Procedures

Treatment Options for Multiple Myeloma and Other Plasma Cell Disorders Solitary plasmacytomas These are often treated with radiation therapy. If the plasma cell tumor is not in a bone, it may be removed with surgery. Chemotherapy (chemo) is only used if multiple myeloma develops. Smoldering multiple myeloma

Therapy

the most frequently used regimens for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (tables 3and and4)4) are thalidomide plus dexamethasone (td), lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone (rd), bortezomib plus dexamethasone (vd), bortezomib, thalidomide, dexamethasone (vtd), bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (vrd) and bortezomib, …

Nutrition

Treatment options for multiple myeloma or first line therapy (induction therapy) consists of drug combinations to control the disease and prevent complications. If you have recently been diagnosed, you must first be assessed by your healthcare team and undergo tests to determine the stage and the type of myeloma.

How to live longer with multiple myeloma?

Sep 08, 2021 · Management of multiple myeloma includes immediate treatment with myeloma drugs, bisphosphonates for patients with bone loss and options for clinical trials. Non-intensive treatment is more common and typically used on older or more frail patients.

What to do if your multiple myeloma treatment stops working?

Apr 01, 2022 · The main treatments for Multiple Myeloma include: 2,3 Drug therapy Radiation therapy Surgery Stem cell transplant CAR T-cell therapy Supportive treatments Targeted therapy Immunotherapy, which uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer Chemotherapy drugs for multiple myeloma, which uses drugs to destroy cancer cells

How to cure multiple myeloma?

Mar 23, 2022 · And this is something that indicates that you have the potential to become a multiple myeloma patient," says Dr. Warsame. Like many other cancers, the disease can be treated with medication, chemotherapy, radiation and even bone marrow transplant. "I want all myeloma patients to know that the treatments are improving.

Can anything help multiple myeloma?

Apr 09, 2020 · Treatments for multiple myeloma include: Immunomodulatory drugs Also known as biological therapies, these medicines are designed to help turn your body’s immune system into a cancer-fighting tool....

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What is the most common treatment for multiple myeloma?

Steroids. Corticosteroids help destroy myeloma cells and make chemotherapy more effective. The most common types used to treat myeloma are dexamethasone and prednisolone. Steroids are taken by mouth after eating.

What is the first line of treatment for multiple myeloma?

The combination of a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent plus the steroid dexamethasone is the standard of care for newly diagnosed patients.

What is the latest treatment for multiple myeloma?

Rye Brook, N.Y., December 1, 2021 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted the seventh approval to daratumumab for the treatment of multiple myeloma. This injectable antibody is approved alone or in combination with other drugs at different states of multiple myeloma treatment.Dec 1, 2021

What is the survival rate for multiple myeloma?

Survival rates tell you what percentage of people with the same type and stage of cancer are still alive a certain amount of time (usually 5 years) after they were diagnosed....5-year relative survival rates for myeloma.SEER stage5-year relative survival rateDistant (multiple myeloma)55%All SEER stages combined56%2 more rows•Mar 2, 2022

Can multiple myeloma be treated without chemotherapy?

Smoldering multiple myeloma Smoldering myeloma patients can do well for years without treatment. For many patients, starting treatment early does not seem to help them live longer. These patients are watched closely without starting chemo or other treatments for myeloma.Mar 1, 2022

Is multiple myeloma treated with chemotherapy?

The most common treatment regimens for multiple myeloma include dexamethasone along with chemotherapy drugs or with other types of medications. The chemotherapy drugs may include melphalan (Alkeran®), doxorubicin (Adriamycin ®, Rubex®), or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®, Neosar®).

What is usually the first symptom of multiple myeloma?

Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma can vary and, early in the disease, there may be none. When signs and symptoms do occur, they can include: Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest. Nausea.Jun 16, 2021

Can you live a normal life with myeloma?

While multiple myeloma doesn't yet have a cure and can be fatal, patients' life expectancies vary widely, according to Jens Hillengass, MD, Chief of Myeloma at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. “I have seen patients live from several weeks to more than 20 years after being diagnosed,” Dr. Hillengass says.Mar 26, 2021

Where is the best place to treat multiple myeloma?

Excellence in bone marrow transplant care by Mayo Clinic's bone marrow transplant team, which is recognized internationally for expertise in comprehensive specialty treatment for people with blood and bone marrow diseases, including multiple myeloma.Jun 16, 2021

Is multiple myeloma a death sentence?

Today, a multiple myeloma diagnosis is no longer a death sentence because our community's efforts have helped bring 11 new drugs through FDA-approval.Sep 13, 2019

How do you know when multiple myeloma is getting worse?

As active multiple myeloma gets worse, you'll likely feel sicker, with fatigue or bone pain. You may have anemia, bleeding problems, or a lot of infections. Other symptoms of advanced multiple myeloma include unusual fractures, shortness of breath, weakness, feeling very thirsty, and belly pain.May 27, 2021

Who is most likely to get multiple myeloma?

Myeloma occurs most commonly in people over 60. The average age at diagnosis is 70. Only 2% of cases occur in people under 40. Race.

What is the best treatment for myeloma?

Patients with active myeloma or light chain amyloidosis are often given a combination of 2 or 3 drugs. The drugs chosen depend on the patient’s health (including their kidney function) and whether a stem cell transplant is planned. Often, a combination containing bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone is used.

What is the treatment for bone disease?

Treatment for bone disease (bisphosphonates) is often started along with chemo. If the areas of damaged bone continue to cause symptoms, radiation therapy may be used. Patients with multiple myeloma also receive supportive treatments, such as transfusions to treat low blood cell counts, and antibiotics and sometimes intravenous immunoglobulin ...

Can lenalidomide be used for myeloma?

This is known as maintenance treatment, and helps delay the return of the myeloma, but it can cause serious side effects. Many drugs and drug combinations can be useful in treating myeloma.

Can a plasma cell tumor be removed?

If the plasma cell tumor is not in a bone, it may be removed with surgery. Chemotherapy (chemo) is only used if multiple myeloma develops.

Is stem cell transplant part of treatment?

A stem cell transplant may be part of treatment. Options for stem cell transplant are discussed in Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Myeloma. Some patients are given additional cycles of treatment after transplant. This is called consolidation treatment and increases the chance of a complete response ...

Can Bortezomib be used for multiple myeloma?

Combinations containing bortezomib are especially helpful in patients with kidney problems and those whose myeloma cells contain certain high-risk chromosome abnormalities. Many other combinations may be considered as well. For more on these drugs and some of the more common combinations used, see Drug Therapy for Multiple Myeloma. ...

What is the best treatment for myeloma?

Corticosteroids. Corticosteroid medications regulate the immune system to control inflammation in the body. They are also active against myeloma cells. Bone marrow transplant. A bone marrow transplant, also known as a stem cell transplant, is a procedure to replace your diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow.

How to cope with myeloma?

Start with the National Cancer Institute and the International Myeloma Foundation. Maintain a strong support system. Having a strong support system can help you cope with issues and anxieties that might occur. Your friends and family may be willing to offer support.

How many bone marrow transplants are needed for multiple myeloma?

In some situations, doctors recommend two bone marrow transplants for people with multiple myeloma. After your bone marrow transplant, you'll likely receive targeted therapy or immunotherapy as a maintenance treatment to prevent a recurrence of myeloma.

What stage of myeloma is the most aggressive?

Stage I indicates a less aggressive disease, and stage III indicates the most aggressive disease. Your multiple myeloma may also be assigned a risk category, ...

What is the treatment for bone marrow transplant?

If you're considered a candidate for bone marrow transplant, your initial therapy will likely include a combination of treatments, such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, corticosteroids and, sometimes, chemotherapy. Your blood stem cells will likely be collected after you've undergone a few months of treatment.

How to cope with cancer?

Coping and support. A cancer diagnosis can be shocking and devastating. With time, you'll find ways to cope with the stress and uncertainty of living with cancer. Until you find what works best for you, consider trying to: Learn enough to make decisions about your care. Learn enough about multiple myeloma so that you're able to participate in ...

What tests are used to detect multiple myeloma?

Specialized tests, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) can analyze myeloma cells to identify gene mutations. Imaging tests. Imaging tests may be recommended to detect bone problems associated with multiple myeloma. Tests may include an X-ray, MRI, CT or positron emission tomography (PET).

What are the best treatments for myeloma?

What Are Your First-Line Treatment Options for Active Myeloma? 1 effectively control the disease 2 reverse myeloma-related complications 3 decrease the risk of early mortality 4 be well tolerated with minimal or manageable toxicity, and 5 not interfere with the need for stem cell collection.

What is frontline therapy for multiple myeloma?

Ideally, your frontline therapy (also called induction or first-line therapy ) should. effectively control the disease. reverse myeloma-related complications. decrease the risk of early mortality.

What is VRD Lite?

VRd Lite (reduced dose and schedule of Velcade, Revlimid, and dexamethasone) After maximum response to induction therapy has been achieved, your physician may recommend an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) followed by maintenance therapy.

What is the most commonly used induction therapy for fit, transplant-eligible patients?

In the U.S., the most commonly used induction therapy for fit, transplant-eligible patients is the combination of Velcade® (bortezomib), Revlimid® (lenalidomide), and low-dose dexamethasone (VRd). Other induction therapies include the following:

What test is used to determine if you have a smoldering myeloma?

These events, if present, will become apparent with standard baseline bone marrow biopsy, serum free light chain assay (the Freelite® test), and MRI.

Is continuous therapy necessary for multiple myeloma?

The benefit of continuous therapy until disease progression has been amply demonstrated to improve survival, but is not necessary or appropriate for every patient. The financial, physical, and emotional implications of continuous therapy must be taken into consideration along with the characteristics of each patient’s multiple myeloma.

Is autologous stem cell transplant considered a maintenance therapy?

Autologous stem cell transplant should be considered early in all transplant-eligible patients. Maintenance therapy after transplant, or continuous therapy after initial treatment, has shown progression-free survival and overall survival benefits.

Precursor Conditions

MGUS is a plasma cell neoplasm diagnosed when a small amount of M protein is detected in the blood, but no other criteria for a solitary plasmacytoma or multiple myeloma diagnosis (such as a tumor, multiple lesions or symptoms) are present. MGUS occurs in about 1% of the general population.

Multiple Myeloma Classifications

A single group of malignant myeloma cells (rather than multiple lesions, as in multiple myeloma) is called a “solitary plasmacytoma.” This mass of cells makes up 5% of plasma cell disorders. Isolated plasmacytoma of the bone can affect any bone, but tends to occur most frequently in the bones along the spinal column.

What is Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a type of bone marrow cancer. Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones that produces the body's blood cells, including a type of white blood cell called plasma cell. Plasma cells play an important role in the immune system: they produce antibodies that help the body fight off germs. 1,2

What are symptoms of Multiple Myeloma?

Some patients with multiple myeloma have no symptoms, especially at an early stage of the disease. Symptoms a patient may have are: 1,2

Treatment for Multiple Myeloma

There are different multiple myeloma treatment options. Treatments of multiple myeloma can help relieve pain, control complications of the disease, stabilize the body and slow the progress of the cancer. 2,3

Is there a cure for Multiple Myeloma?

No. Unfortunately, there is no cure for multiple myeloma. Drugs for multiple myeloma may help to control symptoms and improve quality of life. This has been done in many patients for years. 3

Multiple Myeloma treatment side effects

These treatments can each cause side effects and complications. Side effects from multiple myeloma treatment drugs can be short term and go away after treatment is finished, or they may be long term. The type of side effects caused by multiple myeloma therapy depends on the type of treatment, the stage and grade of disease.

What are new treatments for Multiple Myeloma?

There are several approved new drugs for Multiple Myeloma. Here are some of them:

Why access and buy treatments for Multiple Myeloma with TheSocialMedwork?

TheSocialMedwork is registered in The Hague with the Dutch Ministry of Health as an independent medicines intermediary (registration number 6730 BEM) and as an international pharmacy (registration number 16258 G).

What is the best treatment for multiple myeloma?

Chemotherapy. A standard cancer treatment, chemotherapy seeks out and destroys the cancer cells in your body. Chemotherapeutic agents that specifically treat multiple myeloma include doxorubicin hydrochloride (Doxil, Adriamycin) and alkylating agents.

What is targeted therapy for multiple myeloma?

These medicines are a part of a treatment called targeted therapy. They hone in on specific abnormalities in the multiple myeloma cancer cells that allow the cancer to survive and prevent them from growing and thriving. This causes the myeloma cells to eventually die.

What is the rarest type of cancer?

Multiple myeloma is a rare type of cancer that develops in plasma cells. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell in the body. In a healthy body, plasma cells are responsible for recognizing and fighting off invading germs and infections. In people diagnosed with multiple myeloma , cancer cells eventually overtake the healthy plasma cells.

What is the terminal stage of multiple myeloma?

advanced bone damage. moderate to severe anemia. When you’re diagnosed with multiple myeloma, your doctor will want to determine how advanced the cancer is. Multiple myeloma is classified by stage 1, 2, or 3. In multiple myeloma cases, stage 3 is the terminal stage.

How long does it take to recover from stage 3 multiple myeloma?

What is the outlook for stage 3 multiple myeloma? The average survival rate for stage 3 multiple myeloma is 29 months. However, significant medical advances are helping to increase survival rates. Researchers are attempting to find new treatment methods that can prolong the survival rate.

What kind of doctor treats multiple myeloma?

Once you have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, you’ll likely receive care from a team of doctors, including an oncologist. An oncologist is a type of doctor who specializes in treating cancer. They can help navigate you through the information, numbers, possibilities, and realities.

Is there a cure for multiple myeloma?

A cure for multiple myeloma currently doesn’t exist. However, significant research is making progressive leaps toward a treatment that eliminates the cancer entirely. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved several new types of treatments in recent years. Today’s treatments are getting closer to a cure.

How rare is multiple myeloma?

Keep in mind that multiple myeloma is a rare cancer accounting for only 1.8% of all annual cancer diagnoses in the United States annually. In 2019 that was about 32,000 diagnoses of multiple myeloma. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

Do oncologists treat multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma patients treated in their community by local oncologists have poorer survival outcomes than those receiving care at centers that see large numbers of patients or are nationally recognized, and likely to have doctor s with more experience in this disease, a study reports.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Alternative Medicine

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment includes medication, radiotherapy, or bone marrow transplant.
Medication

Chemotherapy: To kill rapidly multiplying cells; is non-specific and can also kill healthy fast-growing cells.

Vincristine . Doxorubicin


Targeted therapy: Destroys cancer cells only.

Bortezomib . Carfilzomib


Corticosteroids: To control inflammation in the body.

Prednisone . Dexamethasone

Procedures

Bone marrow transplantation: To replace the bone marrow with a healthy one.

Therapy

Radiation therapy:Given to quickly shrink the cancerous cells or tumor. High energy beams X-ray or protons are used for the therapy.

Nutrition

A balanced diet is recommended for persons with multiple myeloma.

Foods to eat:

  • Foods rich in fiber: such as whole grains, vegetable and fruits such as apples, pears and figs, to prevent constipation
  • Foods rich in fibre: such as whole grains, vegetable and fruits such as apples, pears and figs, to prevent constipation
  • Foods rich in iron such as legumes, lean meats, and dark, leafy greens

Foods to avoid:

Patients of multiple myeloma are more prone to infections and should avoid:

  • Uncooked meat
  • Unwashed vegetables and fruits
  • Unpasteurized drinks

Specialist to consult

Oncologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Hematologist
Specializes in the study of the blood and blood disorders.

Coping and Support

  • Sometimes multiple myeloma is diagnosed when your doctor detects it accidentally during a blood test for some other condition. It can also be diagnosed if your doctor suspects you could have multiple myeloma based on your signs and symptoms. Tests and procedures used to diagnose multiple myeloma include: 1. Blood tests. Laboratory analysis of your blood may revea…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • If you're experiencing symptoms, treatment can help relieve pain, control complications of the disease, stabilize your condition and slow the progress of multiple myeloma.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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