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Multiple myeloma

What's the scoop?

 

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that develops from a white blood cell, one of the main types of cells in the blood. White blood cells are formed in the spongey tissue inside the bone called the bone marrow, so the cancer is located inside the bone marrow.

 

The specific type of white blood cell that is affected is called the plasma cell. When the plasma cell becomes cancerous it will multiply rapidly. When this happens, the cancerous white blood cells overcrowd the bone marrow and push out healthy cells.

Multiple myeloma can cause a lot of complications in the body which will present themselves as symptoms, but it's important to get treatment to ensure the complications aren't too severe.

 

Who's most at risk?

 

People who are more likely to be diagnosed with multiple meloma are

  • older people over the age of 65
  • men
  • black
  • obese
  • have a family history
  • have a plasma cell disorder, such as something called MGUS

 

Diagnosis

 

A blood test is used first to diangose mutliple myeloma because it can determine if a certain protein called the m protein is found in the blood. This is an abnormal protein that the plasma cell turns into when cancerous.

 

Similarly, a urine test can be used to detect specific proteins in the bloodstream which are also indicative of cancerous plasma cells.

 

If these tests are abnormal, the doctor will take a sample of bone marrow to test as well as perform imaging tests (CT scan, X-ray, PET scan, MRI or Bone Density scan) to confirm if you have multiple myeloma and if the cancer has spread.

 

Treatment

 

Immediate treatment for multiple myeloma is not always necessary, especially if it is slow growing and at an early stage.

 

If the cancer has progressed, treatment options might include

  • chemotherapy
  • targeted therapy
  • immunotherapy
  • radiation
  • stem cell transplants (also known as bone marrow transplants)
  • corticosteroids
  • plasma exchange

 

Chemotherapy

 

Chemotherapy uses strong drugs that kill rapidly dividing cells like those found in multiple myeloma.

 

Targeted therapy

 

Targeted therapy is done with drugs that have to ability to identify cancer cells and attack them.

 

Immunotherapy

 

Immunotherapy is a type of drug is used to trigger the immune cells to fight off the cancer because in multiple myeloma the immune system turns the cancer into proteins that are disguised as normal cells.

 

Radiation

 

Radiation will use x-rays to target the cancer if it is maintained to a specific area.

 

Stem cell transplants

 

Stem cell transplants are done combined with chemotherapy in which healthy stem cells are removed from the body and then chemotherapy is used to kill off the cancerous bone marrow cells before the healthy cells are re-inserted into the bone.

 

Corticosteroids

 

Corticosteroids are medications that regulate inflammation in the body, but they also help fight againt myeloma cells.

 

Plasma exchange

 

Finally, plasma exchange is used to alleviate problems caused with blood thickening from the myeloma. The plasma (liquid parts of the blood) is removed and replaced with healthy plasma until chemotherapy or radiation has a chance to kill the cancer.

 

What's the scoop?

 

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that develops from a white blood cell, one of the main types of cells in the blood. White blood cells are formed in the spongey tissue inside the bone called the bone marrow, so the cancer is located inside the bone marrow.

 

The specific type of white blood cell that is affected is called the plasma cell. When the plasma cell becomes cancerous it will multiply rapidly. When this happens, the cancerous white blood cells overcrowd the bone marrow and push out healthy cells.

Graphic representation of Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma can cause a lot of complications in the body which will present themselves as symptoms, but it's important to get treatment to ensure the complications aren't too severe.

 

Who's most at risk?

 

People who are more likely to be diagnosed with multiple meloma are

  • older people over the age of 65
  • men
  • black
  • obese
  • have a family history
  • have a plasma cell disorder, such as something called MGUS

 

Diagnosis

 

A blood test is used first to diangose mutliple myeloma because it can determine if a certain protein called the m protein is found in the blood. This is an abnormal protein that the plasma cell turns into when cancerous.

 

Similarly, a urine test can be used to detect specific proteins in the bloodstream which are also indicative of cancerous plasma cells.

 

If these tests are abnormal, the doctor will take a sample of bone marrow to test as well as perform imaging tests (CT scan, X-ray, PET scan, MRI or Bone Density scan) to confirm if you have multiple myeloma and if the cancer has spread.

 

Treatment

 

Immediate treatment for multiple myeloma is not always necessary, especially if it is slow growing and at an early stage.

 

If the cancer has progressed, treatment options might include

  • chemotherapy
  • targeted therapy
  • immunotherapy
  • radiation
  • stem cell transplants (also known as bone marrow transplants)
  • corticosteroids
  • plasma exchange

 

Chemotherapy

 

Chemotherapy uses strong drugs that kill rapidly dividing cells like those found in multiple myeloma.

 

Targeted therapy

 

Targeted therapy is done with drugs that have to ability to identify cancer cells and attack them.

 

Immunotherapy

 

Immunotherapy is a type of drug is used to trigger the immune cells to fight off the cancer because in multiple myeloma the immune system turns the cancer into proteins that are disguised as normal cells.

 

Radiation

 

Radiation will use x-rays to target the cancer if it is maintained to a specific area.

 

Stem cell transplants

 

Stem cell transplants are done combined with chemotherapy in which healthy stem cells are removed from the body and then chemotherapy is used to kill off the cancerous bone marrow cells before the healthy cells are re-inserted into the bone.

 

Corticosteroids

 

Corticosteroids are medications that regulate inflammation in the body, but they also help fight againt myeloma cells.

 

Plasma exchange

 

Finally, plasma exchange is used to alleviate problems caused with blood thickening from the myeloma. The plasma (liquid parts of the blood) is removed and replaced with healthy plasma until chemotherapy or radiation has a chance to kill the cancer.

 

Symptom list:

Multiple myeloma

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Financial support

Not all of us are able to afford the treatment we need. Search your insurance coverage, or check out what charities may be able to offer you for your condition.

p.s. Just because you have insurance, that doesn't mean that charities or other organizations are not able to support you too.

Emotional support

Whether it's a free counseling session or to find someone with a similar diagnosis, these Germie approved charities might be able to help. Click to explore their offerings!

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