Multiple Myeloma Treatment & Symptom
Multiple myeloma is a cancer that begins in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell . The exact cause of multiple myeloma isn't known. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 15,270 new cases of myeloma bone disease will be diagnosed this year. Plasma cells, and other white blood cells, are part of the immune system. Plasma cells produce antibodies - proteins that assist the body in ridding itself of harmful substances. Each plasma cell responds to one specific substance by producing one kind of antibody. The body has many types of plasma cells, and, therefore, can respond to many types of substances. Multiple myeloma causes calcium to leak out of bones and into the bloodstream. High levels of calcium in the bloodstream causes nausea, constipation , dehydration and drowsiness. High levels of calcium in the bloodstream can also cause kidney failure. Multiple Myeloma usually affects people older than 40 years old. The average age of patients at diagnosis is between 65 and 70 years old. Plasma cells usually make up less than 5 percent of the cells in your bone marrow. But if you have multiple myeloma, a group of abnormal plasma cells multiplies, raising the percentage of plasma cells to more than 10 percent of the cells in your bone marrow. The result can be erosion of your bones. The disease also interferes with the function of your bone marrow and immune system, which can lead to anemia and infection. The disease is called multiple myeloma because myeloma cells can occur in multiple bone marrow sites in your body. If you have multiple myeloma but aren't experiencing symptoms, your doctors may just need to monitor your condition. If you're experiencing symptoms, a variety of treatments are available.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells, a type of infection-fighting white blood cells that produce immunoglobins, also known as antibodies. Its prognosis, despite therapy, is generally poor, and treatment may involve chemotherapy and stem cell transplant . It is part of the broad group of diseases called hematological malignancies . Multiple myeloma occurs when the body begins to overproduce abnormal plasma cells. These abnormal cells can grow to form multiple tumors in the bone marrow. When the cells appear in a number of sites, the condition is called multiple myeloma. In the United States, about 4 out of 100,000 individuals are diagnosed with multiple myeloma each year. This condition is slightly more common among men than women and almost twice as common among blacks as among whites.
Causes of Multiple Myeloma
Common Causes of Multiple Myeloma :
- The cause of multiple myeloma is unknown.
- History of a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Every year 1 percent of the people with MGUS in the United States develop multiple myeloma.
- The majority of people who develop multiple myeloma are older than 50, with the most common age about 70. Few cases occur in people younger than 45.
- Your risk of multiple myeloma is increased if you're overweight or obese.
- Men are about 50 percent more likely to develop the disease than are women.
Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma
Some common Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma :
- Constipation.
- Weight loss.
- Loss of appetite.
- Mental confusion.
- Unexplained bone fractures.
- Back pain.
- Rib pain .
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Bleeding gums.
- Weakness or numbness in legs.
Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
- Radiation therapy (to control pain).
- Bone marrow transplantation.
- Chemotherapy.
- Medications (to control pain).
- A biological response modifier (a substance that stimulates or improves the ability of the body's immune system to fight disease) that interferes with the division of cancer cells, therefore slowing tumor growth. Interferons are substances normally produced by the body but can by produced in the laboratory.
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