Multiple myeloma is a cancerous disease arising from the bone marrow of a patient typically suffering from persistent back pain, fractures on minor trauma or bone pains despite routine treatment. It may also be detected incidentally by in a health checkup or as part of a specific organ involvement such as kidney (failure) or heart (failure). Â Rarely, it may cause other soft tissue tumors in the body around the spine or the muscles. At times patient might present with a paralysis due to the compression of the spinal bones (vertebrae).
While it is an incurable disease, there have been rapid advances in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of this condition, not only for specific anti myeloma treatment, but also for the supportive care needed to care for such patients. Some of these treatments can be either done from home (oral tablets) or even in the day care, making this extremely patient friendly while still being effective. Many of these agents used today do not cause the typical hair loss, nausea and vomiting and the patients do not feel like a one. The plasma cells most often produce a monoclonal protein (this is an is abnormal protein called immunoglobulin that is produced by the body – not related to food protein) that circulates through the blood and affects different parts of the body (hence "multiple" myeloma).
Exciting treatments both orally and intravenously have changed the paradigm of the treatment of myeloma. Bortezomib given intravenously is the most important advance in reducing the myeloma load rapidly, and will soon be available subcutaneously and perhaps orally too!
Thalidomide, Lenalidomide and pomalidomide collectively called IMIDs are a group of immunomodulation agents that can be used orally and are extremely effective, especially when combined with Bortezomib in treatment. The time tested steroids have not fallen behind and are incorporated into the above two drugs regimens extremely effectively. Â A multi-disciplinary team is needed to manage patients with a good open line of communication.
Once the patient achieves a good control called remission or plateau state then the patient can be consolidated with a autologous (self)bone marrow transplantation, if the patient is found to be eligible for the same. If not the patient can continue the same treatment over a period of time to ensure that the disease is under as much control as possible.
Unfortunately, the disease is known to relapse despite many efforts and the drugs mentioned above can be used in different combinations for control in this state too.
This is not as common as other solid tumors such a s breast cancer or intestinal cancers, but an early pick up ensures a good survival as is seen with any cancer. In the early stage the patient can survive well for up to even 45 to 60 months while the third stage survival is about 30 months.
While it is an incurable disease, there have been rapid advances in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of this condition, not only for specific anti myeloma treatment, but also for the supportive care needed to care for such patients. Some of these treatments can be either done from home (oral tablets) or even in the day care, making this extremely patient friendly while still being effective. Many of these agents used today do not cause the typical hair loss, nausea and vomiting and the patients do not feel like a one. The plasma cells most often produce a monoclonal protein (this is an is abnormal protein called immunoglobulin that is produced by the body – not related to food protein) that circulates through the blood and affects different parts of the body (hence "multiple" myeloma).
Exciting treatments both orally and intravenously have changed the paradigm of the treatment of myeloma. Bortezomib given intravenously is the most important advance in reducing the myeloma load rapidly, and will soon be available subcutaneously and perhaps orally too!
Thalidomide, Lenalidomide and pomalidomide collectively called IMIDs are a group of immunomodulation agents that can be used orally and are extremely effective, especially when combined with Bortezomib in treatment. The time tested steroids have not fallen behind and are incorporated into the above two drugs regimens extremely effectively. Â A multi-disciplinary team is needed to manage patients with a good open line of communication.
Once the patient achieves a good control called remission or plateau state then the patient can be consolidated with a autologous (self)bone marrow transplantation, if the patient is found to be eligible for the same. If not the patient can continue the same treatment over a period of time to ensure that the disease is under as much control as possible.
Unfortunately, the disease is known to relapse despite many efforts and the drugs mentioned above can be used in different combinations for control in this state too.
This is not as common as other solid tumors such a s breast cancer or intestinal cancers, but an early pick up ensures a good survival as is seen with any cancer. In the early stage the patient can survive well for up to even 45 to 60 months while the third stage survival is about 30 months.
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