Medication
There's no cure, but treatments can slow its spread and sometimes make symptoms go away. A type of white blood cell called a plasma cell makes antibodies that fight infections in your body. When you have multiple myeloma, these cells multiply the wrong way.
Procedures
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, and bone density scans
- Bone marrow tests, including aspiration and biopsy, where doctors take samples of your bone marrow to check for signs of cancer
Therapy
Multiple myeloma is not a common cancer but is the second most common blood cancer after non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the United States. The 5-year survival rate for people with multiple myeloma is over 50%. For the 5% of people who are diagnosed at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate is 72%.
Nutrition
There is no cure for multiple myeloma, but the disease can be managed by appropriate treatment. Various supplements such as herbal and vitamins and minerals help improve the condition of patients. Is There A Link Between Multiple Myeloma and Kidney Failure?
Is there a complete cure for multiple myeloma?
What to do if your multiple myeloma treatment stops working?
Does anyone survive multiple myeloma?
Can multiple myeloma be cured naturally?
What if I don't treat my multiple myeloma?
You could develop uncomfortable symptoms Multiple myeloma also damages bone marrow, which is the spongy area inside bones where blood cells are made. As cancer grows inside bone marrow, it can weaken the bones to the point where they break. Fractures can be extremely painful.
Can you have multiple myeloma with no symptoms?
Often, multiple myeloma causes no symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. Sometimes, it might cause vague symptoms that at first seem to be caused by other diseases. Sometimes, multiple myeloma is found early when a routine blood test shows an abnormally high amount of protein in the blood.
When should you start treatment for multiple myeloma?
Most people with smoldering multiple myeloma start treatment only when their condition becomes active. You and your doctor will know you've reached that point when test results show at least one other symptom, such as: Your bone marrow is 60% or more cancer cells. A major imbalance of certain proteins in your blood.
Does multiple myeloma require treatment?
Immediate treatment may not be necessary If you have multiple myeloma but aren't experiencing any symptoms (also known as smoldering multiple myeloma), you might not need treatment right away. Immediate treatment may not be necessary for multiple myeloma that is slow growing and at an early stage.
How long can you live with untreated multiple myeloma?
The median length of survival after diagnosis with multiple myeloma is 62 months for Stage I, 44 months for Stage II, and 29 months for Stage III. Life expectancy depends on many factors, including the person's age, health, kidney function, and more.
Can you have multiple myeloma for years without knowing?
Some people have multiple myeloma for months or years before they even know they're sick. This earliest phase is called smoldering multiple myeloma. When you have it, you won't have any symptoms, but your test results will show: At least 10% to 59% of your bone marrow is made up of cancerous plasma cells.
Can myeloma be treated without chemotherapy?
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.
Can you live a normal life with myeloma?
Apart from ongoing monitoring, most myeloma patients are able to live fairly normal lives, with few restrictions on low-impact exercise and other activity.
Can multiple myeloma be cured naturally?
There are no proven special diets to treat multiple myeloma. However, there are specific nutrition strategies that can be used to treat common symptoms, such as kidney damage and anemia, as well as to reduce cancer recurrence.
Can you have multiple myeloma with normal blood work?
Sometimes, multiple myeloma is found early when a routine blood test shows an abnormally high amount of protein in the blood. People with MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance) or solitary plasmacytoma are at risk of developing multiple myeloma and have regular bloodwork to monitor for it.
Can you go into remission with multiple myeloma?
While multiple myeloma doesn't have a cure, up to 90 percent of people with multiple myeloma respond well to treatment and can have an extended period of time where the cancer symptoms improve, known as remission.
Can multiple myeloma be cured if caught early?
There is no cure for multiple myeloma, but the prognosis can be good if doctors catch it early.
What is the goal of multiple myeloma treatment?
The goal of multiple myeloma treatment is to kill off the abnormal cells so the healthy blood cells have more room to grow in the bone marrow. Multiple myeloma treatment can involve:
What are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?
Uncontrolled multiple myeloma can also lead to symptoms like: 1 increased#N#risk of infections from lowered white blood cell counts 2 shortness#N#of breath from anemia 3 serious#N#bruising or bleeding from low platelets 4 extreme#N#thirst, constipation, and frequent urination from high levels of calcium in the#N#blood 5 weakness#N#and numbness from nerve damage caused by collapsed bones in the spine
What is the meaning of "less than one myeloma cell"?
People with less than one myeloma cell out of every million cells in their bone marrow are said to have minimal residual disease (MRD). While one in a million might not sound alarming, even one cell can multiply and form many more if given enough time.
What is the first treatment for cancer?
The first treatment you’ll get is called induction therapy . It’s meant to kill as many cancer cells as possible. Later, you’ll get maintenance therapy to stop the cancer from growing again. All of these treatments can have side effects. Chemotherapy can cause hair loss, nausea, and vomiting.
What was the survival rate for multiple myeloma in 1990?
Back in the 1990s, the average five-year survival for someone diagnosed with multiple myeloma was 30 percent. Today, it’s over 50 percent. For people who are diagnosed early, it’s over 70 percent.
How does slowing down cancer affect your health?
By slowing the cancer, you’ll reduce your risk of having symptoms. Even if your treatment is no longer hindering or stopping your cancer, it may help to manage side effects and keep you comfortable. Treatment aimed at symptom relief is called palliative care. 5. Your odds of surviving have vastly improved.
Can multiple myeloma cause pain?
Fractures can be extremely painful. Uncontrolled multiple myeloma can also lead to symptoms like: By slowing the cancer, you’ll reduce your risk of having symptoms. Even if your treatment is no longer hindering or stopping your cancer, it may help to manage side effects and keep you comfortable.
How long does it take for myeloma to rise after chemotherapy?
Standard-risk patients receive a lower dose chemotherapy pill until the myeloma protein numbers start to rise again, which is on average about four to five years.
How many rounds of chemotherapy for myeloma?
Although radiation therapy and surgery are used in some rare situations, patients typically receive three or four rounds of chemotherapy.
Does myeloma cause bubbles in urine?
Myeloma can also damage the kidneys. It can cause inflammation and block the filters of the kidney, so some patients may notice foam or bubbles in their urine. Some patients also experience bone issues. Myeloma can cause lytic lesions, which are like holes in the bones.
Can multiple myeloma cause haywire?
Some patients live with multiple myeloma for years without any negative effects. This is called smoldering myeloma. But eventually the myeloma cells can make things go haywire in the body, affecting patients’ red blood cell counts, the kidneys, calcium levels and even the bones. To understand how multiple myeloma affects ...
Do steroids help with myeloma?
This can also help reduce pain. More importantly, steroids kill the myeloma cells. Through blood draws, we monitor protein levels to see how the myeloma is responding to treatment.
Does myeloma stay down?
But studies have shown that when we use a combination of drugs (typically three) to treat relapsed disease, it tends to stay down longer.
Can kidney failure cause dialysis?
Kidney failure will require you to go on dialysis. All of this impacts quality of life. But if we treat the disease too early, it can become resistant to treatment and ultimately decrease your lifespan. Our goal is to put the myeloma into hibernation for as long as we can.
What to do if you have a myeloma that is not causing symptoms?
If the myeloma is found early and is not causing symptoms, you might not need to be treated right away. You might just be watched closely instead. If you do need treatment, it could include: Chemotherapy. Other drug treatments like bisphosphonates that strengthen bones. Stem cell transplant. Radiation.
What is the treatment for myeloma?
Radiation uses high-energy rays (like x-rays) to kill cancer cells. This treatment may be used to treat areas of myeloma that have not responded to other treatments and are causing pain or other problems.
What blood test is used to determine if you have multiple myeloma?
Most people with multiple myeloma have a low red blood cell count. Blood and urine tests for immunoglobulins: Samples of your blood and urine might be tested for immunoglobulins (another name for antibodies). Levels of one of these proteins are typically higher than normal in people with multiple myeloma.
What is the name of the drug that blocks certain proteins on myeloma cells that help them grow?
Proteasome inhibitors (PROH-tee-uh-soam in-HIH-bih-terz ): Drugs that block certain proteins on myeloma cells that help them grow. Stem cell transplant: A treatment that replaces blood-forming stem cells in the bone marrow with new stem cells that come from the bone marrow of either the patient or a donor.
What is the best way to see if you have myeloma?
A series of x-rays might be done that includes most of the bones. This is called a bone survey or skeletal survey. CT scan: This is also called a CAT scan. It’s a special kind of x-ray that takes detailed pictures of the body. CT scans can help show if your bones have been damaged by myeloma.
How do you know if you have multiple myeloma?
The doctor will ask you questions about your health and do a physical exam. If signs are pointing to multiple myeloma, more tests will be done.
Can you get treatment for multiple myeloma?
If you have multiple myeloma, there might be times when you are not being treated. Or you might continue to get regular treatments with chemotherapy and other drugs, radiation, or other treatments to try to help keep the cancer in check. Whether or not you are being treated, ongoing follow-up is very important.
What are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?
Low blood counts. Shortages of red blood cells, white blood cells, and blood platelets are common in multiple myeloma and might lead to other symptoms. Anemia: A reduced number of red blood cells that can cause weakness, a reduced ability to exercise, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Leukopenia: Too few white blood cells ...
What is the term for the pain and weakness caused by myeloma cells?
This damage can lead to weakness and numbness and sometimes a “pins and needles” sensation. This is also called peripheral neuropathy.
What causes blood to thicken in myeloma?
In some patients, large amounts of myeloma protein can cause the blood to “thicken.”. This thickening is called hyperviscosity. It can slow blood flow to the brain and cause: Confusion. Dizziness. Symptoms of a stroke, like weakness on one side of the body and slurred speech.
What are the symptoms of light chain amyloidosis?
Patients with amyloidosis (discussed in What Is Multiple Myeloma?) can have some of the same problems as patients with myeloma, such as kidney problems and nerve damage. They can also have other problems, such as: Heart problems: The heart may enlarge and become weaker.
Can a person with myeloma get pneumonia?
Myeloma patients are much more likely to get infections. When someone with myeloma gets an infection, they may be slow to respond to treatment. That person may stay sick for a long time. Pneumonia is a common and serious infection seen in myeloma patients.
Can myeloma cause kidney damage?
Myeloma protein can damage the kidneys. Early on, this doesn’t cause any symptoms, but signs of kidney damage may be seen on a blood test or a urine test. As the kidneys start to fail, they lose the ability to get rid of excess salt, fluid, and body waste products. This can lead to symptoms such as:
Why is smoldering multiple myeloma not used as much as it used to be?
It isn't used as much as it used to be because multiple myeloma is getting diagnosed at earlier stages. Smoldering Multiple Myeloma. Some people have multiple myeloma for months or years before they even know they're sick. This earliest phase is called smoldering multiple myeloma.
What are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?
Other symptoms of advanced multiple myeloma include unusual fractures, shortness of breath, weakness, feeling very thirsty, and belly pain. Refractory myeloma is when your disease doesn't respond to treatment or comes back after treatment.
What is the earliest stage of myeloma?
This earliest phase is called smoldering multiple myeloma. When you have it, you won't have any symptoms, but your test results will show: At least 10% to 59% of your bone marrow is made up of cancerous plasma cells. You have the abnormal antibodies that myeloma cells make in your blood or urine.
How long does it take for myeloma to progress?
This is a relapse of disease when you've had some response to treatment, then either get non-responsive while on salvage therapy (treatment given when standard treatment doesn't work) or progress within 60 days of your last treatment. Primary refractory myeloma.
What protein is high in blood when you have multiple myeloma?
This protein in your blood shows how healthy you are overall. Beta-2 microglobulin ( B2M). Levels of this protein in your blood are high when you have multiple myeloma. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). This enzyme can be high if your disease is more advanced.
What is the staging system for multiple myeloma?
There are two systems that identify the stages of multiple myeloma. The newer one, which doctors use most often, is the revised international staging system (RISS). It predicts how well you'll do with treatment. It measures four things to figure out how aggressive your cancer is: Albumin levels.
Can you get smoldering multiple myeloma?
It's rare to be diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma. Many people only find out they have it because a blood test they took for another reason showed unusual protein levels. Active Multiple Myeloma. If you're having symptoms, or there are signs that the cancer has damaged your organs, you have active myeloma.
How to tell if you have multiple myeloma?
Multiple Myeloma Symptoms and Signs 1 Persistent or worsening tiredness 2 Recurrent unexplained infections (such as pneumonia, sinus infection, or urinary tract infection) 3 Back pain or any bone pain that is persistent or recurrent 4 Swelling of the extremities 5 Shortness of breath
What are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?
Multiple Myeloma Symptoms and Signs. In 70% of patients, the most common symptoms of multiple myeloma are back or bone pain, fatigue, and recurrent or persistent infections . If you are experiencing any of the following possible symptoms, consult your physician. Recurrent unexplained infections (such as pneumonia, sinus infection, ...
Where does myeloma grow?
Myeloma most often grows in the marrow within the bones of the spine, skull, pelvis, rib cage, shoulders, and hips. Usually, the bones of the hands and feet and lower parts of the arms and legs are not affected, preserving the function of these critical areas. Myeloma can appear as both a tumor and/or as an area of bone loss.
Is myeloma a tumor?
Myeloma can appear as both a tumor and/or as an area of bone loss. In either case, this is called a "lesion.". Areas of bone loss caused by myeloma are referred to as "lytic lesions.". The only time that myeloma is not "multiple" are in rare cases of a solitary plasmacytoma of bone (SPB) or an extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP).
What to do if multiple myeloma stops working?
What to Do If Your Multiple Myeloma Treatment Stops Working. Once your doctor determines the stage of your cancer and comes up with a treatment plan, you may look forward to putting multiple myeloma behind you. There’s no cure for this type of cancer, but remission is achievable. Of course, not everyone responds to every type of treatment.
What is the best treatment for multiple myeloma?
Hospice care. When multiple myeloma progresses to the point of being terminal, your doctor may recommend hospice care. This care is unique because it treats you, not the disease. The purpose is to enhance your quality of life during this time. Hospice care can occur in a nursing home or in your own home.
What is the procedure for multiple myeloma?
Bone marrow transplant. Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer. You may be a candidate for a bone marrow transplant (also known as a stem cell transplant) when other therapies prove ineffective. Bone marrow is a soft tissue inside your bone that creates blood-forming cells. This procedure transplants a donor’s healthy blood-forming cells into your body.
What to do if your doctor says treatment won't improve your condition?
If your doctor believes that treatment won’t improve your condition, you may decide to forgo putting your body through the stress of chemotherapy, radiation, or a bone marrow transplant. If so, the next step may be palliative care. This is different from other types of therapies.
How long do you stay in the hospital after bone marrow transplant?
You’ll also remain in the hospital for weeks after the transplant. And because there’s the risk of infection, you’ll be confined to a germ-free room until your immune system recovers and strengthens. Your doctor may suggest maintenance therapy after a bone marrow transplant.
What to do if cancer doesn't respond to chemotherapy?
But if your cancer doesn’t respond to these drugs or if you relapse, your doctor may decide that it’s time to add on a therapy. They may also opt to try a completely different therapy, such as biological therapy, chemotherapy, or radiation. Biological therapy uses your immune system to fight cancer cells.
Can multiple myeloma be treated with another therapy?
Before deciding next steps, have an honest conversation with your doctor to discuss your outlook. Sometimes multiple myeloma doesn’t respond despite aggressive treatments. So even if you proceeded with another therapy, the disease may progress and your health decline.
What happens when myeloma cells are high in protein?
Myeloma cells can make a higher than normal amount of proteins in your blood. Hyperviscosity happens when these proteins cause your blood to thicken and it can’t flow like it’s supposed to.
Can a doctor test for multiple myeloma?
For instance, your doctor may order blood and urine tests as part of your annual physical.
Can you have multiple myeloma without a family history?
That said, most people who have multiple myeloma don’t have any relatives who have it.
Can multiple myeloma be diagnosed?
Multiple myeloma can be a difficult type of cancer to diagnose. For one thing, some people have no symptoms. For another, when you do have symptoms, they’re often similar to symptoms of other illnesses. This means the doctor may diagnose you with something else first.
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