Multiple myeloma is a category of blood cancer. It is one of the blood cancers that has involvement of the bone marrow. Bone marrow is spongy soft tissues in the middle of the bones which are responsible for producing the blood cells of a human being.
This disease is named as multiple myeloma as this disease often affects different areas of the human body like spine, skull, pelvis and ribs etc.
Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma Treatment;
In the early days, the multiple myeloma may not cause symptoms. It is most commonly diagnosed after a routine blood or urine investigations.
In the late stage, Multiple myeloma causes a wide range of problems mentioned below:
- Continuous dull ache or some areas of tenderness in the bones
- Weak bones, can get fractured easily
- Tiredness and shortness of breath
- Infections repetitions
- kidney issues
Multiple Myeloma does not usually cause a tumor or a lump. Instead, it damages the bones affecting the production of healthy blood cells (RBCs, WBCs and Platelets etc.)
What causes Multiple Myeloma?
It is not exactly known what causes this disease. However, it is found that there is a link between myeloma and a body condition called MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance).
MGUS is found where there is excess of protein molecules called as immunoglobulins, in the human body blood. As per a study conducted by leading research centers, Every year, around one in every 100 people with MGUS develop multiple myeloma.
Myeloma is common in;
- Men
- Most are diagnosed around age of 70and around 40 years of age cases are rare in this disease
- Black people-this disease is more common in black populations than white &Asian populations.
- People with a family history may develop this disease.
Treatments of Multiple Myeloma;
Proper treatment can often help in controlling this condition for several years but most cases of myeloma cannot be cured.
Myeloma treatment usually includes:
- Use of Anti-myeloma drugs to destroy the myeloma cells.
- Drugs & procedures to prevent and treat issues caused by myeloma like bone pain, fractures & anemia etc.
Multiple Myeloma treatment;
Patients who receive intensive treatment are given high dose of chemotherapy medications as an inpatient (During Hospitalization) to destroy myeloma cells. This helps in achieving a longer time period of remission but this does not result in a cure. However, the high doses of drugs affect healthy bone marrow also, so the stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant is done to allow your bone marrow to recover and start forming normal blood cells prolonging the life span of the patients suffering from multiple myeloma. In most of the cases, stem cells shall be collected from patient before the admission for the high dose drugs treatment.
