Multiple Myeloma Everything You Need to Know About the Cancer of Plasma Cells

1. Multiple Myeloma: Everything You Need to Know About the Cancer of Plasma Cells Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that forms in plasma cells found in the bone marrow. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies in the bone marrow to help your body fight infections and diseases. In multiple myeloma, plasma cells become abnormal and reproduce very quickly. The rapid multiplication of these cancerous cells overwhelms the production of normal cells in the bone marrow. Unlike healthy cells, the cancer cells do not mature and die on their own. Eventually, they accumulate in the bone marrow producing abnormal antibodies called M proteins that cause kidney damage and other complications.

2. Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma The symptoms of myeloma can vary from person to person and the initial symptoms may not be even noticeable. However, as cancer progresses, one may experience any of the following major symptoms: • Calcium (elevated) • Renal failure • Anemia • Bone lesions NOTE: If these symptoms persist, make an appointment with your doctor or schedule a checkup.

3. Diagnosis Your doctor may even detect the presence of this disease accidentally when you undergo a routine checkup or blood test. Your doctor will decide when you need the treatment based on your signs and symptoms. Here are the tests that can diagnose multiple myeloma: • Blood tests • Urine tests • Imaging tests • Biopsy Staging • Bone marrow examination

4. Risk Factors People are more likely to develop this disease if they are in the following categories: • Male • Black race • Over the age of 50 • Overweight or obese • Have a family history of multiple myeloma • Have a history of MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance)

5. Multiple Myeloma Treatment If the disease progresses and the symptoms get worse, your doctor will have to choose from the following treatment options: • Chemotherapy- It is an aggressive form of therapy in which high doses of anti-cancer drugs are given to the patient. These medications help in killing fast-growing cells and are given before performing bone marrow transplant surgery. • Targeted therapy- This treatment primarily focuses on the substances within malignant cells that cause them to survive. Drugs like bortezomib and carfilzomib injection are used to break down the protein and kill the cancer cells. You can either take these drugs in the form of pills or inject them in your body through the veins in your arms. • Biological therapy- This therapy includes using your immune system for attacking myeloma cells. Thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide are some of the biological therapy drugs that help in boosting your immune system. Source URL: https://ikrispharma.blogspot.com/2020/05/Cancer-of-Plasma-Cells-Multiple-myeloma.html