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KEY POINTS
- Multiple myeloma is a growth of abnormal white blood cells that are made by the bone marrow.
- Treatment may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. Often, more than 1 treatment is used.
- After treatment, you will need to have regular follow-up visits with your healthcare provider.
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What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a growth of abnormal plasma cells. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cells that are made by the bone marrow.
Normal plasma cells make antibodies to fight infection. When you have multiple myeloma, the plasma cells are not normal and the numbers increase. The increased numbers of abnormal plasma cells make a lot of abnormal antibodies that are not useful and may be harmful. Myeloma cells crowd out normal blood cells made by the bone marrow. Not having enough healthy blood cells can cause problems such as anemia, trouble fighting infection, weak bones, and blood that is slower to clot.
The sooner cancer is found and treated, the better your chances for recovery. However, even advanced cancer can usually be treated. Treatment may slow or stop the growth of the cancer and ease symptoms for a time. Ask your healthcare provider what you can expect with the type of cancer that you have.
What is the cause?
The cause of multiple myeloma is not known. It is seen mostly in people who are middle-aged or older. It affects more men than women, and African Americans have it twice as often as Caucasians.
What are the symptoms?
Sometimes the cancer may not cause any symptoms. When it does cause symptoms, they may include:
- Bone pain, especially in the back or ribs
- Frequent infections
- Tiredness, weakness, drowsiness
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Trouble breathing
The cancer may destroy bone tissue. The bones may weaken and break more easily.
How is it diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history, including symptoms and possible risk factors, and you will have a physical exam. You may have tests such as:
- Blood and urine tests
- Bone marrow biopsy, which uses a needle passed through the skin to take a small sample of tissue for testing
- X-rays of bones
- CT scan, which uses X-rays and a computer to show detailed pictures of the spine or whole body
- MRI, which uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show detailed pictures of the spine or whole body
- PET scan, which is a series of detailed pictures that are taken after your healthcare provider injects a small amount of radioactive chemical into your blood. The scan shows areas where the radioactive chemical is being absorbed.
How is it treated?
You and your healthcare provider will discuss possible treatments. You may also talk with a cancer specialist. Some things to think about when making treatment decisions are:
- Your age
- Your overall health
- The stage of the cancer (how advanced the cancer is)
- Whether the cancer has spread to other parts of your body
Possible treatments are:
- Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells
- Chemotherapy (anticancer drugs), which uses medicine to kill cancer cells
- Medicines to strengthen the bones
- Hormone therapy, which uses medicine to stop hormones in your body from helping tumors grow
- Biological therapy, which uses medicines that help your immune system fight the cancer
- Stem cell or bone marrow transplant, which uses your own cells or cells from a donor
Your treatment will also include:
- Preventing infections
- Controlling pain or other symptoms you may be having
- Controlling the side effects from treatments
- Helping you manage your life with cancer
Often, more than 1 type of treatment is used. In rare cases, the disease is so mild and grows so slowly that treatment is not necessary. You will need to have regular follow-up visits with your healthcare provider.
Ask your healthcare provider about clinical trials that might be available to you. Clinical trials are research studies to find effective cancer treatments. It’s always your choice whether you take part in one or not.
How can I take care of myself?
If you have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma:
- Talk about your cancer and treatment options with your healthcare provider. Make sure you understand your choices.
- Follow the full course of treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Ask your healthcare provider:
- How and when you will get your test results
- How long it will take to recover
- If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
- How to take care of yourself at home
- What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them
- Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.
Other things that may help include:
- Eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise as recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Try to reduce stress and take time for activities that you enjoy. It may help to talk with a counselor about your illness.
- Talk with your family and your healthcare providers about your concerns. Ask your healthcare provider any questions you have about the disease, treatments, side effects of the treatments, sexual activity, support groups, and anything else that concerns you.
- If you smoke, try to quit.
- Ask your provider if you need to avoid drinking alcohol. It may interfere with medicines you are taking. Alcohol can also make it harder for white blood cells to fight infections.
- Tell your provider if your treatment causes discomfort. Usually there are ways to help you be more comfortable.
For more information, contact national and local organizations such as:
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