Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells, usually originating
from the bone marrow, the blood producing tissue that fills the bone
spaces. Myeloma develops when a normal plasma cell is transformed into a
malignant cell and begins to grow uncontrollably.
As myeloma cells divide and increase in number, they affect the patient in a number of ways. These cells interfere with the body’s ability to build bone and instead cause bones to weaken and break down. Spine, skull, ribs and pelvic bones are commonly involved. These weakened bones are prone to fractures even with minor stresses. As bones break, calcium is released into the bloodstream and may lead to a condition called hypercalcaemia associated with pain, nausea, vomiting, altered mental states and depression etc.
The proliferation of myeloma cells in the bone marrow will lower the production of healthy blood cells. These patients become anaemic and in more advanced situation will have low platelet (thrombocytopenia) and white cell counts (leucopenia).
Myeloma cells usually produce an abnormal protein (a monoclonal or M protein) that can cause damage to the organs especially the kidneys. High levels of calcium and myeloma proteins can interfere with the kidney functions and diminish their ability to filter the blood properly. This will invariably lead to permanent kidney damage and failure.
The Haematology and Stem Cell Transplant Centre (Tel: 65 6731 2030) at Mount Elizabeth Hospital Level 7 provides a full range of facilities and established services to diagnose and treat various blood diseases and blood cancers, while also offering cutting-edge treatments using applications of stem cell transplants.
Please contact Mount Elizabeth Patient Assistance Centre (MPAC) for more information.
Mount Elizabeth Patient Assistance Centre
24-Hours Hotline: +65 6250 0000
Email: mpac@parkway.sg
1 Therapeutic decision making in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma by Oscar Ballester. R. Munker, H lazarus and Kerry Atkinson, Chapter 9 BMT data book. 2009
2 NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines Version 1.2012 entitled Multiple Myeloma
3 Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Multiple myeloma by M Qazilbash and S. Giralt Chapter 58, Thomas’ Hematopoietic Cell Transplantion. 2009
As myeloma cells divide and increase in number, they affect the patient in a number of ways. These cells interfere with the body’s ability to build bone and instead cause bones to weaken and break down. Spine, skull, ribs and pelvic bones are commonly involved. These weakened bones are prone to fractures even with minor stresses. As bones break, calcium is released into the bloodstream and may lead to a condition called hypercalcaemia associated with pain, nausea, vomiting, altered mental states and depression etc.
The proliferation of myeloma cells in the bone marrow will lower the production of healthy blood cells. These patients become anaemic and in more advanced situation will have low platelet (thrombocytopenia) and white cell counts (leucopenia).
Myeloma cells usually produce an abnormal protein (a monoclonal or M protein) that can cause damage to the organs especially the kidneys. High levels of calcium and myeloma proteins can interfere with the kidney functions and diminish their ability to filter the blood properly. This will invariably lead to permanent kidney damage and failure.
Natural Progression
Generally, myeloma is a progressive disease associated with severe anaemia, tiredness, bruising and bleeding, bone ‘weakness’ and painful fractures and damage to the organs especially the kidneys. The disease is invariably fatal without treatment and median survival is less than 18 months.Treatment
In the past, median survival of about two to three years was achieved with conventional chemotherapy. Upfront therapy with the new generation of targeted therapies (thalidomide, lenalidomide and bortezomib) has shown significant improvements in response rates1. However, none of these new therapies have been tested in prospective randomised trials in patients who are transplant candidates. Autologous transplant remains to be the Standard Care for all newly diagnosed myeloma patients who are deemed fit to undergo the transplant2. Median survival beyond five years has generally been reported after autologous stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma patients3.The Haematology and Stem Cell Transplant Centre (Tel: 65 6731 2030) at Mount Elizabeth Hospital Level 7 provides a full range of facilities and established services to diagnose and treat various blood diseases and blood cancers, while also offering cutting-edge treatments using applications of stem cell transplants.
Please contact Mount Elizabeth Patient Assistance Centre (MPAC) for more information.
Mount Elizabeth Patient Assistance Centre
24-Hours Hotline: +65 6250 0000
Email: mpac@parkway.sg
1 Therapeutic decision making in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma by Oscar Ballester. R. Munker, H lazarus and Kerry Atkinson, Chapter 9 BMT data book. 2009
2 NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines Version 1.2012 entitled Multiple Myeloma
3 Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Multiple myeloma by M Qazilbash and S. Giralt Chapter 58, Thomas’ Hematopoietic Cell Transplantion. 2009
Thanks For your comment : I think depending on how the judge therapy without depending on drugs.
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