susanwoodward
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What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant plasma cell disease, whose tumor cells originate from plasma cells in the bone marrow , and plasma cells are cells that develop from B lymphocytes to the final functional stage. Therefore, multiple myeloma can be classified as a type of B lymphocyte lymphoma . WHO classifies it as a type of B cell lymphoma, called plasma cell myeloma/ plasmacytoma. It is characterized by abnormal proliferation of bone marrow plasma cells accompanied by excessive production of monoclonal immunoglobulins or light chains (M proteins).
The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 35,780 new cases of multiple myeloma will be diagnosed in the United States in 2024, with approximately 12,540 deaths. Survival rates continue to improve, with recent reports indicating median survival exceeding 10 years. It is being treated by some therapy & medicines such as Pomalidomide, Melphalan etc,
Signs and symptoms of Multiple Myeloma
Persistent bone pain (particularly in the back or chest), kidney failure, and recurrent bacterial infections are the most common symptoms, but many patients are diagnosed after routine laboratory tests reveal elevated total protein levels in the blood, proteinuria, or unexplained anemia or kidney failure.
What causes multiple myeloma?
Doctors don't know what causes multiple myeloma, but they think it may :
-Family history
-Sometimes the disease is caused by excessive radiation or the presence of certain chemicals in the surrounding environment
Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
Conventional chemotherapy and corticosteroids for symptomatic patients
Add-on therapy with immunomodulators and monoclonal antibodies
Autologous stem cell transplantation is possible
Radiation therapy may be given to specific symptomatic areas that do not respond to systemic therapy.
Treat complications, such as anemia, hypercalcemia, renal dysfunction, infection, and bone disease
Treatment of relapsed or refractory disease with immunomodulatory agents, monoclonal antibodies, proteasome inhibitors, and newer cell therapies
Treatment involves direct therapy against the malignant cells in symptomatic patients or in patients with myeloma-related organ dysfunction (anemia, renal insufficiency, hypercalcemia, or bone disease).
In patients who initially do not have organ dysfunction, risk factors for myeloma that require rapid treatment include
> 60% plasma cells in the bone marrow
MRI found > 1 lesion
Serum free light chain level >100 mg/L
Patients with these risk factors are considered to have active myeloma and require immediate treatment, although early treatment of these patients has not been shown to improve their overall survival. Patients without these risk factors or with end-organ dysfunction may not benefit from immediate treatment and are usually treated when symptoms develop or complications occur.
Treatment of relapsed or refractory myeloma
For patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma, effective combinations include
Corticosteroids
Proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib, ixazomib, carfilzomib)
Immunomodulators (thalidomide, lenalidomide, pomalidomide)
Monoclonal antibodies (daratumumab, isatuximab, elotuzumab)
These drugs are often used in combination with other effective drugs that the patient has not received before.
Conclusion
Treatments given by doctors are designed to help slow the growth of the cancer and relieve symptoms. Doctors cannot cure multiple myeloma, but people can live a long time with treatment.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant plasma cell disease, whose tumor cells originate from plasma cells in the bone marrow , and plasma cells are cells that develop from B lymphocytes to the final functional stage. Therefore, multiple myeloma can be classified as a type of B lymphocyte lymphoma . WHO classifies it as a type of B cell lymphoma, called plasma cell myeloma/ plasmacytoma. It is characterized by abnormal proliferation of bone marrow plasma cells accompanied by excessive production of monoclonal immunoglobulins or light chains (M proteins).
The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 35,780 new cases of multiple myeloma will be diagnosed in the United States in 2024, with approximately 12,540 deaths. Survival rates continue to improve, with recent reports indicating median survival exceeding 10 years. It is being treated by some therapy & medicines such as Pomalidomide, Melphalan etc,
Signs and symptoms of Multiple Myeloma
Persistent bone pain (particularly in the back or chest), kidney failure, and recurrent bacterial infections are the most common symptoms, but many patients are diagnosed after routine laboratory tests reveal elevated total protein levels in the blood, proteinuria, or unexplained anemia or kidney failure.
What causes multiple myeloma?
Doctors don't know what causes multiple myeloma, but they think it may :
-Family history
-Sometimes the disease is caused by excessive radiation or the presence of certain chemicals in the surrounding environment
Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
Conventional chemotherapy and corticosteroids for symptomatic patients
Add-on therapy with immunomodulators and monoclonal antibodies
Autologous stem cell transplantation is possible
Radiation therapy may be given to specific symptomatic areas that do not respond to systemic therapy.
Treat complications, such as anemia, hypercalcemia, renal dysfunction, infection, and bone disease
Treatment of relapsed or refractory disease with immunomodulatory agents, monoclonal antibodies, proteasome inhibitors, and newer cell therapies
Treatment involves direct therapy against the malignant cells in symptomatic patients or in patients with myeloma-related organ dysfunction (anemia, renal insufficiency, hypercalcemia, or bone disease).
In patients who initially do not have organ dysfunction, risk factors for myeloma that require rapid treatment include
> 60% plasma cells in the bone marrow
MRI found > 1 lesion
Serum free light chain level >100 mg/L
Patients with these risk factors are considered to have active myeloma and require immediate treatment, although early treatment of these patients has not been shown to improve their overall survival. Patients without these risk factors or with end-organ dysfunction may not benefit from immediate treatment and are usually treated when symptoms develop or complications occur.
Treatment of relapsed or refractory myeloma
For patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma, effective combinations include
Corticosteroids
Proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib, ixazomib, carfilzomib)
Immunomodulators (thalidomide, lenalidomide, pomalidomide)
Monoclonal antibodies (daratumumab, isatuximab, elotuzumab)
These drugs are often used in combination with other effective drugs that the patient has not received before.
Conclusion
Treatments given by doctors are designed to help slow the growth of the cancer and relieve symptoms. Doctors cannot cure multiple myeloma, but people can live a long time with treatment.
