Multiple Myeloma: Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells of the blood. Symptoms include early osteoporosis, hypercalcemia, hyperviscosity of the blood, low red and white blood cell counts, low platelet count, cryoglobulinemia, and amyloidosis. Tests to diagnose multiple myeloma include blood and urine tests, bone marrow examination, X-rays, MRIs, PET scans, and regular monitoring. Multiple myeloma treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation, medications, and stem cell transplantation. Life expectancy for multiple myeloma is a 30% five-year survival rate.
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Bone Marrow Biopsy
A bone marrow biopsy is performed for any of the following reasons: to evaluate bone marrow function or to determine the cause of some infections; diagnose tumors; determine how far a disease, such as lymphoma, has progressed; and to evaluate the effectiveness of chemotherapy or other bone marrow active drugs. -
Ask Can You Die from Multiple Myeloma
One of my good friends at work has received a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. I don’t want to pry, but I’m worried about her. I know nothing about the disease. Can you die from it? What’s the life expectancy of a person with multiple myeloma? -
Cancer: What You Need to Know
Cancer is a common and deadly disease, and it's surrounded by myths. There are certain basics a patient needs to know when they're confronted with a cancer diagnosis; everything from clinical facts and practices to learning how to navigate the health insurance bureaucracy. -
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy or "chemo" is a treatment for cancer. Depending on the type of cancer an individual has, it can cure cancer, control cancer. or ease cancer symptoms. There are a variety of cancer drugs. There are a number of support groups to assist chemotherapy patients gain the help they need to move through this very trying treatment. -
Cancer Symptoms
Most symptoms and signs of cancer may also be explained by harmless conditions, so it's important to limit one's risk factors and undergo appropriate cancer screening. Common cancer symptoms and signs are a change in bowel habits or urination, persistent cough, blood in the stool, urine, or saliva, lump in the breast or testicle, hoarseness, swollen glands, a change in a wart or mole, unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, and headaches. -
How Long Can You Live Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis
Multiple myeloma is an uncommon cancer of the blood. The median length of survival after diagnosis with multiple myeloma is 62 months for Stage I, 44 months for Stage II, and 29 months for Stage III. Life expectancy depends on many factors, including the person's age, health, kidney function, and more. -
Hypercalcemia (Elevated Calcium Levels)
Hypercalcemia (elevated calcium levels) is a condition that can have no symptoms, or severe symptoms if the calcium levels are severely elevated. Conditions associated with hypercalcemia include: cancers, excessive levels of vitamin D, inherited conditions, kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, and certain medications. Treatment of hypercalcemia depends on the cause associated with the condition. -
Is Multiple Myeloma Always Fatal
Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that is somewhat rare and typically has a poor prognosis. Several factors play an important part in a person's survival rate, including age, health condition, and whether it involves a single tumor. -
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to lose calcium and mass making them fragile, affects mostly post-menopausal women. Medications are available to slow or help prevent this process, including estrogen replacement therapy. It is possible to slow or even reverse osteoporosis, but often it becomes disabling. -
What Are the Three Stages of Multiple Myeloma
There are three stages of multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood. The stage of multiple myeloma is staged based on the amount of albumin, beta-2-microglobulin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the blood, as well as pecific gene abnormalities (cytogenetics) of the cancer. -
What Is Most Common Treatment for Multiple Myeloma
There are many different types of treatment for multiple myeloma. Typically two or three drug combinations will be used to treat multiple myeloma. Common drug therapies include proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulating drugs, steroids, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, Monoclonal antibodies, chemotherapy, induction therapy, and a nuclear export inhibitor.
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Multiple Myeloma Topic Guide - Visuals
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Multiple Myeloma Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
ThalidomideThalidomide is used together with dexamethasone to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer). Thalidomide is also used to treat and prevent moderate to se...learn more »
VincristineVincristine is used to treat leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma (soft tissue tumors), neuroblastoma (cancer that forms in ...learn more »
PrednisonePrednisone is a steroid that reduces inflammation in the body, and also suppresses your immune system...learn more »
MelphalanMelphalan is used as a "palliative" treatment to relieve symptoms of multiple myeloma (a type of blood cancer) or a certain type of ovarian cancer...learn more »
DoxorubicinDoxorubicin is used to treat different types of cancers that affect the breast, bladder, kidneys, ovaries, thyroid, stomach, lungs, bones, nerve tissues, joi...learn more »
Multiple Myeloma Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
Chest X-Ray
Chest X-ray is a common procedure ordered to diagnose certain diseases and conditions such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure, emphysema, lung masses or nod...learn more »
Hemoglobin Levels
Hemoglobin is the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the learn more »
Hematocrit Blood Test
A hematocrit blood test measures the portion of red blood cells in the blood. Normal values of hematocrit in the blood vary according to age, sex, ...learn more »
Neuropathy
Neuropathy is a term that refers to malfunctions or diseases of the nerves. Types of neuropathy include diabetic neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, ulnar neuropa...learn more »
Weight Loss and Control
Obesity is simply the accumulation of excess body fat. It is much more than that, however. Obesity is a chronic (long-term) disease that is very difficult to...
learn more »
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood and oxygen to the body's tissues. Learn about symptoms and treatment.learn more »
C Reactive Protein Blood Test (CRP)
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation somewhere in the body. When there is inflammation in the body, the CRP levels increase. Elevated c-reactive...learn more »
Dehydration in Adults
Dehydration occurs when the loss of body fluids (mostly water), exceeds the amount that is taken in. Causes of dehydration include
- fever,
- ...
Stroke
Stroke is a medical emergency. When a person has a stroke, part of the blood supply to the brain is cut off or greatly decreased. There are two main types of st...learn more »
Anemia
Anemia can be caused by many conditions and diseases such as iron deficiency, poor diet and nutrition, cancers, bone marrow problems, and more. Symptoms of anem...learn more »
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a scanner that takes cross-sectional images of the body. It is used to evaluate tissues of the head, neck, chest, limbs, ...
learn more »
Blood Test Used to Diagnose Multiple Myeloma
My grandpa died of myeloma, and I’m worried that I might get it genetically. If I wanted to get tested for the disease, what are the blood tests that diagnose m...learn more »
Ask Is there Pain with Multiple Myeloma
I just had a routine blood test during a physical, and my doctor said the results suggest I have myeloma. I’m terrified of this disease and the long cancer batt...learn more »