Multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects cells produced by the bone marrow, called plasma cells, that begin to affect their functioning and multiply disorderly in the body.
This disease is more common in the elderly and, in the early stages, does not cause symptoms, until the multiplication of imperfect plasma cells increases significantly and causes signs and symptoms such as anemia, bone disorders, increased blood calcium, renal failure and increased. kidney function risk of infection.
- Multiple myeloma is still considered an incurable disease.
- However.
- With treatments currently available.
- It is possible to obtain periods of stabilization of the disease for years or even decades.
- Treatment options are indicated by the hematologist and include chemotherapy with a combination of medications.
- As well as bone marrow transplantation.
In the initial stage, the disease does not cause symptoms; at a later stage, multiple myeloma can cause:
Symptoms associated with elevated calcium levels, such as fatigue, mental confusion, or arrhythmia, as well as changes in kidney function, such as urinary disturbances, can also be observed.
To diagnose multiple myeloma in addition to clinical evaluation, your hematologist will order tests to help confirm this disease. Myelogram is an essential test, as it is an aspiration of the bone marrow that will allow the analysis of the cells that manufacture the bone marrow, which can identify the group of plasma cells, which in the disease occupies more than 10% of this site. Understand what myelogram is and how it’s done.
Another essential test is so-called protein electrophoresis, which can be performed with a blood or urine sample, and is able to identify the increase in defective antibodies produced by plasma cells, called M protein. These tests can be supplemented with immunological tests, such as the immunofibation protein.
Tests are also needed to monitor and evaluate complications of the disease, such as blood formula for evaluating anemia and blood disorders, calcium levels that may be high, creatinine testing to check kidney function, and bone imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRI.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of genetic origin, but its exact causes are not yet fully understood. It causes disorderly multiplication of plasma cells, which are important cells generated in the bone marrow with the function of producing antibodies to the body’s defenses.
In people with this disease, these plasma cells can generate clusters that accumulate in the bone marrow, causing changes in their functioning, as well as in other different parts of the body, such as bones.
In addition, plasma cells do not produce antibodies properly, but produce an unnecessary protein called M protein, with a greater predisposition to infections and chances of causing blockage of kidney filtration tubules.
Currently, the treatment of multiple myeloma has evolved considerably compared to the drugs available, so although it is not yet declared that this disease has a cure, it is possible to live with it in a stabilized way for many years.
Thus, in the past, a patient with multiple myeloma had a survival of 2, 4 or no more than 5 years, however, today and with the right treatment, it is possible to live more than 10 or 20 years, however, it is important to remember that there are no rules and that each case varies depending on several factors, such as age , the state of health and severity of the disease.
Pharmacological treatment is only indicated for patients with multiple myeloma with symptoms, and those who have abnormal tests but do not have physical complaints should remain with the hematologist, with a frequency determined by the hematologist, which can be every 6 months.
Some of the main drug options include dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide, bortzomib, tthalidomide, doxorubicin, cisplatin or vincristine, for example, which are guided by the usually associated hematologist in chemotherapy cycles. In addition, several drugs are being tested to make it easier and easier. for patients with this disease to be treated.
Bone marrow transplantation is a good option for good disease management, however, it is only recommended for patients not very older, preferably under 70, or who do not have serious illnesses that limit their physical capacity, such as heart or lung disease. Learn more about the bone marrow transplant procedure, if applicable, and the risks.